Demi Clayton: That sounds good, hopefully you are able to see them very soon - also Christmas is unarguably the best time of the year ;)

It's my birthday today! I was meant to have a driving lesson but it was cancelled due to lockdown - sad but it means you get a chapter!

Chapter 20: Momma's boy

The wind whipped through his hair, the hard earth crunched under his feet and his laboured breathing increased with every second of the vicious chase. He was running as if his life were on the line because, for all he knew, it was. Thick rays of sunlight beat down harshly on to him, forming thick beads of sweat on his upper brow and slowing his movements, but he refused to give in.

His predator was pouncing behind him, the ground shaking with every step they took. Jack didn't dare look back, it was too terrifying - snarling ferociously like a savage animal as it hunted him down, singling him out from the pack.

Thud, thud, thud as their loud footsteps became frighteningly closer. Jack tried to run quicker, but the heat was quickly zapping his energy and he found his movements were becoming ever more lethargic by the second. Hefty droplets of sweat dripped down his face, landing with quiet splodges on his jumper, melting any remainder of the ice that usually decorated it.

He did not care about the jumper. The exit was so close, he was practically there. But with every step he took, his chaser gained two. Jack's heart was hammering out of his chest, banging against his rib cage in a weak attempt to break out. His insides violently churned as the mixture of fatigue and sunstroke set in, threatening him to throw up his breakfast. He had to get there in time, he didn't want to think about what would happen to him if the monster caught up with him.

He imagined the worst, but luckily his negative thoughts only helped push him further. His muscles burned from the effort and his mouth was begged for some water to quench its parched thirst. But he wouldn't allow himself to stop. He pushed harder and harder as the exit got closer - his ticket out of potentially fatal danger.

Ten more steps and he was there.

Nine, eight, seven.

The closer he got, the more agonisingly slow time became, until he felt like he were running in slow motion with all the force of the world against him. His feet were stuck in quicksand and he was sinking further and further down. The universe was against his as every step felt like a fiery, burning agony.

Six, five, four.

He could smell the cool air, taste the damp of the rain falling in steady rhythms outside. How he longed to be out there, free, flying with the wind and causing mischief somewhere. But he wasn't - he was fleeing for his life from a dangerous terror.

Three, two, one.

With relief flooding through his veins, he jumped for the exit, his fingertips brushing the wet earth. Perhaps the gods had changed their minds: maybe they did want him to live.

But suddenly, without warning, a great force gripped the hood of his jumper, pulling him back, the outside no longer in reach.

Unceremoniously landing on his bottom, he squirmed and wriggled under the watchful eye of his captor, desperately trying to get free. His pulse was beating so fast he could focus on nothing but the quick pounding sound echoing in his head. All breath escaped his lungs as he realised.

This was it, he had lost.

Sweat glistened on his forehead as he opened his large cerulean eyes wide and looked up at the figure in front of him. It was a terrifying sight - the beast was easily six foot tall, it's feet larger than Jack's head, it's sturdy, muscular build towering over him, covering him in shadows. Deadly weapons hung from its holster.

The winter spirit's remaining breath hitched in his throat as the creature lent down, coming to eye level with Jack. Its emerald green eyes shone vigorously, threateningly and it opened its mouth, ready to devour him whole.

Wait. Just before it was too late, an idea popped into his head. Jack nearly doubled over in excitement as he realised there was one thing left he could do to escape the snarling brute.

"Tooth! Bunny is bullying me!"

Not even five seconds later, light flooded his vision as the Pooka was thrown off of him by a very angry looking Tooth Fairy. Frantic questions followed as she took in the sight of the young Guardian of fun, drenched in water and without his staff.

"My poor sweet tooth, are you okay? What happened? Did he hurt you? Where's your staff?"

"It was- we were having a water fight and he-he got annoyed and he grabbed my staff and he chased me and - Tooth, I'm scared!" Jack sniffled and threw his arms around the fairy, grasping her tightly. She gasped lightly - shocked at what she was hearing. In a soothing motion, she rubbed her hand up and down his back, trying to calm him down.

"Wha the bloody-" Bunnymund was cut off as an infuriated Tooth flew up to him, grabbing him harshly by the ear.

"E Aster Bunnymund, how dare you scare my sweet tooth! Look at him, he's terrified!" At his mention, Jack curled up on himself tighter and sniffled, wiping tears off of his face. "You're in big trouble - and I'm sure North won't be happy about this either. Now say sorry."

"But-"

"No buts! Say it and mean it. Then we are going to the Pole and you are going to think about what you have done." To emphasise her point, the Fairy Queen pinched their Pooka's ear tighter, earning a small muffled squeak in response (though he would forever deny that he made a noise).

"Fine, am sorry. Ya happy now?"

Though she looked highly displeased, Tooth nodded. "Are you alright if we leave you alone Jack?" The boy in response nodded weakly and sniffled once more, earning a grunt from the Pooka. "Okay, I'll come back and check on you later sweet tooth."

With that, she grabbed Bunny and made to leave. The Guardian of Hope was not just annoyed, he was exasperated. Even more so when he looked back at Jack to see him smiling sweetly and waving goodbye to him in a mocking gesture, no hint of the display he had showed Tooth not a moment ago.

Damn, he was a good actor. Bunny would definitely be getting him back for this. For now though, he was more worried about what Tooth was going to do with him when they got to the Pole. Unfortunately for him, she was highly fond of Jack and her motherly instincts kicked in wherever she was around him. Obviously Jack would use this to his advantage.

Bunnymund would openly admit it: Tooth was scary when she was mad. And he had just messed with the boy who was dubbed to have 'the most amazing teeth in the World' (Tooth's own words). He was most definitely in for it.