After Dark

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

"I don't know." Matthew admitted. They were quiet again. "Do you know who has your staff? Where is it?"

"It's gone." The Guardian shook his head. "The fire guy took it. He burned it. It's gone."

The Reaper silently swore hiding his disappointment from Jack. He had no real plan anymore. He had no idea how they were going to get out. The staff and the winter spirit's powers were their only viable option. The others relied on slip ups and one in a million chances.

"Can you still use your powers?" Matthew asked looking down at Jack.

"No, not really." The winter spirit shook his head. He bit his lip and looked away. "I tried to, but nothing happens." He took a breath. "Maybe a bit of frost, that's it." He sighed looking back. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, you don't have to apologize." Matthew said reassuringly squeezing his hands. "We can just wait for an opportunity. They will slip up, I will get you out of there."

"I know, I'm worried about you though." Jack's eyebrows furrowed. He was quiet for a moment. The Canadian noticed his breathing had quickened. "You have to eat and drink, I doubt they'll give you anything and I can't make snow or anything to help!"

Matthew realized he was starting to have another panic attack. He had also started shaking. "Hey, I forgot to tell you." He started getting the Guardian's attention. "Kuma seems to have taken a sudden liking to stealing my pancakes. He never used to do that! He'd ask for them, but he keeps stealing them right off my plate!"

"H-he can be a little shit." Jack stuttered slightly. He was still shaking, but the talking seemed to be working. "Must have learned it from the elves."

"Or you and North spoil him too much." The Reaper said. The winter spirit smiled slightly, but he was still breathing quickly. He thought of another topic. "I was worried about getting you a Christmas present. You're hard to 'shop' for."

"'Was worried?'" Jack asked raising an eyebrow. Matthew nodded. "What did you get me?"

"I can't tell you." The Canadian shook his head with a smile. "It's not Christmas yet!"

"Aww, come on Birdie!" The Guardian complained. Matthew was happy to see his breathing was almost normal and the shaking had stopped. "Christmas is forever away! Please?"

"Nope." The Reaper said. "Not until Christmas."

Jack lowered his head and pouted. He was giving him puppy dog eyes. Matthew copied his expression and the winter spirit laughed. He sounded like his old self. The Canadian smiled. He was just happy he managed to calm him before he went into a full panic attack. He wanted Jack to be healthy and happy.

"Aww, how adorable." Pitch cooed from behind him. It made them both jump.

Matthew growled and instinctively raised his metallic wings. He hissed at the pain from the broken one. He turned towards the sound. He let go of Jack's hands and managed to stand. It was hard without the full use of his hands. Standing was awkward. His hands were still in front of him, but he was looking backwards into the cave. He needed to protect the winter spirit.

The spirit of darkness laughed. It echoed off the cave walls watching him struggle to stand. He could see his gold eyes glowing in the darkness. He stepped out of a shadow across the room from them. Mishal stumbled out after him. He looked like he was going to be sick.

"Our furry friend is unfortunately busy." The King of Nightmares said with a smirk. "But out plans will still go ahead without him."

Pitch stepped forward walking towards him. He got close enough and the Reaper swiped at him with his good wing. He just laughed and avoided the attack. It hadn't really come anywhere near hitting him. He formed a scythe out of nightmare sand. Matthew was too focused on Pitch he didn't notice Mishal creeping up on him.

Jack tried to warn him, but it was too late. The fire spirit grabbed his broken wing. He cried out in surprise and pain. He tried to cut the man with his other wing, but couldn't. He tried to pull away. He didn't have anywhere to go or anyway to attack.

Pitch jumped forward. He hooked the flat of his scythe behind the Reaper's legs. He pulled sweeping them out from under him. Matthew fell to the ground. He cried out in pain again as he landed. Mishal still had a grip on his broken wing and didn't move. It made the wing move. He could feel the bones shift painfully. It took him a moment to recover from the pain. He could feel the searing heat from the fire spirit's hand.

"Now, now." The Nightmare King hummed looking down at him from where he was standing. Matthew was sitting at an awkward and uncomfortable angle, but couldn't move with his hands cuffed. The cuffs were biting into his wrists. "No need for a fight."

"Don't hurt him!" Jack yelled gaining the spirit of darkness's attention. Mishal was already just scowling at him.

"I don't plan on hurting him." Pitch purred looking at the Guardian. "If he cooperates, he'll be unharmed for now." He stepped closer to the Reaper as he dissolved his scythe. "You on the other hand, Frost, might want to prepare."

Matthew growled as the King of Nightmares crouched down next to him. He went to swipe at him with his good wing, but Mishal quickly grabbed it. He hissed and struggled to get it loose. He didn't have enough leverage to break away. He could still feel the heat from the fire spirit's hands. They were hot, but not burning his metallic wings. He knew if they shifted back to normal, he'd be burned.

Pitch smiled wickedly looking him over. The Reaper growled as he reached out towards him. He shifted and pulled trying to get away. Or at least get one wing free. Mishal had a vice grip on his wings. He couldn't move without pain. The King of Nightmares started to pat his coat and pockets.

Jack was yelling at the two spirits from behind the bars. Pitch paused his searching and made eye contact with Mishal. The fire spirit let go of his bad wing. He was able to see fire forming in his hand as he went to hurt Jack. Matthew acted quickly. He moved his broken wing as far and as fast as he could. It was excruciating, especially when it made contact and cut the fire spirit's leg.

"You bastard!" Mishal growled angrily.

The Reaper was about to try and attack, but he managed to grab his wing again. He started to twist and pull on his broken wing. Matthew gasped at the pain eyes widening. He tried to move with him to lessen the pain, but it didn't work. It felt like Mishal was about to crush the bone.

Pitch raised one of his hands to get the fire spirit's attention. Mishal looked down at him. The King of Nightmare shook his head. The fire spirit looked like he was about to argue, but didn't. He stopped twisting his wing and lessened his grip slightly. Matthew groaned as his wing ached.

Pitch started patting his pockets again. He didn't know what he was looking for on him. He didn't carry much. His eyes widened realizing what the spirit of darkness must have been looking for.