Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D I don't have much to say this time around, so I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. ^u^


~ LXXII ~

Losing You, Part Two

It wasn't long before guilt start to set

So Jack went to see Katherine

For advice on what to do next

...

As he stormed through the village of Santoff Claussen, Jack's anger slowly began to subside. The frigid aura he had been carrying returned to its natural chill, and the entire argument relayed in his head.

Guilt beat him like a white. Every word he said, everything he did made Jack feel worse and worse as he began to slow down.

He had never argued with North before. At least not like that. They had small spats, but they always made up in the end.

Jack wasn't sure if North would forgive him this time.

Jack stopped walking entirely. He had reached the village center, where shops were beginning to close and people were starting to head home. It was as chilly, evening, and the Wind laced around him, whistling empathetically as she tousled his hair.

Jack sighed. "What am I going to do…?" he whispered. He couldn't go back, not now anyway. How would he even approach North? He was probably still mad at him. And Jack didn't know just yet how to apologize.

A simple "I'm sorry" wouldn't do it. And, to be frank, Jack was still a little upset with North. He knew how overprotective he was, but this was just too much. When he was younger, Jack understood the need for protectiveness. But he was seventeen now; he could take care of himself. North just never gave him that chance.

Perhaps it was because of the recent events that caused North to panic the way he did. Jack tried to think in North's perspective. Just a few months ago, he had been possessed by one of Pitch's Fearlings. And the Boogeyman was still out there. But there was no sign of him for a long time now, though many were still staying wary.

Pitch wanted to do something with Jack, though the snow sprite didn't know what. And right now, he wanted to think of anything but Pitch.

The sun was setting, and it would be dark soon, where it would be even colder than it was at the moment. He was immune to the cold, but Jack didn't want to be stuck alone in the empty streets, so he let his feet carry him to the person whom he knew he could trust with everything he had: Katherine.

The girl wasn't so much of a girl anymore. Katherine was now in her early twenties now, and had been spending the past few days getting ready to leave for the Capitol. She was planning to become an author once she reached the city. But instead of books of information and reality, she wanted to write fantasies and stories like the ones she had read as a child.

Jack was proud of how far Katherine had come, but he had to admit that he would miss her. Katherine was his best friend since he was young, and he would miss all the fun and conversations they would have together.

Jack soon arrived at Big Root, and he paused in front of the tall tree. He had made so many memories her, many of which he didn't want to let go. Jack missed the times where things were just…simple. The times when he didn't have to worry about Pitch, Fearlings, or Nightmares. The times magic was an everyday wonder and life was nothing but a fantastic adventure he could enjoy with his friends and family.

Jack fingered the strings of his cloak. How he wished things could be that simple again.

Next to Big Root was Kailash's corner, which had been built inside the lower roots of the tree. She had grown too big for the treehouse which she previously stayed, so Katherine and Ombric constructed a new corner for her to dwell in. Candlelight flooded from the entrance, meaning that someone was inside. Jack slipped through and forced his natural cold to lower so that Katherine wouldn't immediately know he was there.

The young woman was pacing to and fro around the room, checking bags, packing bags, and removing things from bags. Kailash's head followed Katherine's every movement. Her hair was frizzier than before, and the woman's eyes were sharp.

"Alright, I think that about does it," Katherine said after sifting through the last bag. She turned to Kailash and smiled. "We should be ready to go by morning."

Kailash honked gleefully and Katherine smoothed her feathers. She looked around the small burrow and sighed.

"I'm really going to miss this place," she murmured. "And everyone in it."

"When you say 'everyone' that does include me, right?" Katherine started, and she turned her head toward the entrance. Jack emerged and plastered a smile.

Katherine softened and she smirked. "Oh, I don't know about that anymore…considering that you did just sneak up on me."

Jack feigned shock. "I just came by for a friendly little visit. I didn't 'sneak up on you.'"

Katherine rolled her eyes, but a smile rested on her face. "It's good to see you Jack, but…shouldn't you be at home?"

Jack's shoulders slacked and he rubbed the back of his neck. Katherine noticed that he looked hurt.

"Katherine…I…" Jack chewed his lower lip. "I can't go back home."

Jack was seventeen, and Katherine knew that. But right now, he looked like he six year old she had met on the first of school all those years ago: lost, alone, and scared.

Kailash warbled sadly, sensing Jack's emotions. Katherine guided the snow sprite over to the goose's nest, and they settled on the edge. Kailash's nest was soft and cushioned with feathers and cotton, making it quite a comfortable place to sit.

Katherine laid a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Jack…why can't you go home? What happened?"

Jack shifted where he sat, and it was then Katherine noticed that he didn't have his staff. He must've left in a hurry… she thought.

Jack sighed, and he looked at Katheirne, his blue eyes sparkling. "Katherine…what do you do…if you tell someone you don't need them anymore?"

Katherine sared at Jack, processing what he had said. "Did you and North have an argument?"

Jack's eyes widened slightly, and he looked away. "I didn't say that."

"It's written all over you," remarked Katherine. "What was it about?"

Jack drew his knees to his chest and explained what had happened that day. The conversation he had with the others at Big Root, Sascha's offer, and what happened when Jack asked North if he could go. Katherine listened the entire time—that was one of the other things Jack loved about her. She was good listener, and didn't cut in until the very end.

When Jack finished, he was surprised to find himself trembling. "We've never fought like that before," he said, voice tight. "And…I don't know if he'll forgive me if I apologize…"

"Of course he will," Katherine said. "Jack, North's one of the most kind-hearted and understanding people I know. He only wants to protect you, and it's very difficult for him to let you go."

"But I'm not going anywhere," said Jack.

"Which is what you have to let him know," Katherine said. "Even if you leave for Lunslruna Capitol one day, you'll still come to visit. You won't be living under the same roof anymore, but love travels miles and miles."

Katherine held Jack's hands and gave them a loving squeeze. "North loves you more than anything. He'll forgive you if you ask for it."

Katherine pulled Jack into a hug, and the snow sprite squeezed back. When they pulled away, Jack said, "Thanks, Katherine."

Kathierne smiled softly. "Anytime, bestest friend."

Kailash nuzzled Jack's head, eliciting a laugh, and the young snow sprite wished the two goodnight before leaving. It was night now, and a bright crescent moon hung in the sky. Jack started down the path home, when suddenly—

"You never let you me have any freedom!"

"You aren't going to be there with me for all of it!"

"WELL THEN MAYBE I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE!"

Jack froze, guilt choking him like a rubber band. No. He couldn't go back. North would only reject him.

Jack veered off the path and headed down the one that led to the woods. The woodland animals were all fast asleep, and the nocturnal ones had taken their place. The forest was a little eerie at night, but Jack knew nothing would happen to him as long as he stayed within boarders.

As Jack wandered in the woods, he didn't notice the odd way the branches swayed. Or the ominous cold that had taken hold. His mind was elsewhere and distracted, and the snow sprite only focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

The shadows bulged and gathered behind him. Bright amber eyes appeared in the tucked shadows of the trees above.

Jack didn't have time to react, for the shadows swept him away before he could strike back.