Believe in Me

Love like a Child

"You can relax."

The voice of Death, strong but yet weakened with a strange sense of sadness both at the same time, echoed through the room. A lot of him was like that, his walk, the look in his eyes. Like he was a powerful warrior, standing tall and confident.. but yet it seemed like he would fall apart at any moment, just holding back the sadness that so clearly flowed from him. Neither of the boys relaxed though, on the contrary, Jack just raised his staff a little higher in front of the girl. She's just sleeping.. he tried to reassure himself. She just fell asleep while Jamie was working on helping her heal. Within a few hours she'll wake up and those bright green eyes will flicker again and it'll all be alright... but he knew he was wrong. There was no breath coming from her pale and further paling face, not a single movement or twitch in the delecately small hand. The insecurity and fear apparentally shone out through Jack, because Death took a single step forward and he threw his staff out. A warning: Back away or I'll freeze you. The man didn't back up though. He simply stared into Jack's eyes with his own, strong and demanding as blood but soft and asking as a rose. "I mean no harm.. but you have to listen to what I have to say, Guardian." He seemed to get a little downcast, even spit out the word guardian like it hurt his throat to say. He's jealous? No.. it didn't seem like it. Maybe angry, upset, pained. But there was no envy in his tone. Great job, icecicle, you got Death on your bad list. But Jack wasn't in the mood to reply to the sarcastic comment that seemingly came from nowhere. "Talk first, then I'll let you come closer," he said as strongly as he could; Jamie still stood next to him, cheeks wet with tears and eyes wide with confusion. Jack suddenly thought.. how could Jamie even see Death? He was a spirit wasn't he? Wouldn't Jamie have to believe in him? It made sense. When people or pets died, it was usually like the close friends and family couldnt comprehend it. Like they couldn't stop forgetting that the person was already gone until the realization struck. You could only believe in death once you had seen it already.. Jack looked down at the boy, his glance going unnoticed as he pulled Jamie closer to his side and looked back to Grey Loss. The grim reaper standing in his best friend's bedroom. The man sighed, brushing his pitch black bangs from his eyes, making direct contact with Jack, which was both uplifting and nervewracking. "The king of nightmares came to me, and I am on his side. I dont take his orders. I still work alone. But if a war breaks out like it seems, I am on the side of shadows, as I belong." He seemed pained to say that, "as I belong." Jack was a little confused but pushed that aside for now, focusing more on the slight dart in his chest as he realized Pitch now had the upper hand. Death? On the enemies team? That wasn't good. Not at all. "But I do what I need to do to make sure my side will win. Pitch Black has asked that I spare the child," he motioned to Ilia, "Since it is in my power. He asked of me to not tell you why. But.." The man's gaze dropped to the dusty floorboards. "He HAS told me to tell you to get ready, Jack Frost. He's stronger." Death then walked forward while Jack and Jamie processed the information, brushing past the winter spirit like he wasn't even there and kneeling at the bedside on one knee, looking down at Ilia. "You were always a little troublemaker.." He said quietly, for the first time his voice seeming to be lined with caring. "But I'm glad that I didn't have to pull you out just yet." The man laid his pale hand on her forehead and within seconds her eyes fluttered open, the slightly bloodstained mouth opening in a gasp for breath. Jack spun around running to her with Jamie at his heels. Death simply stood back, nodded down at the surprised and seemingly dillusional girl, then turned back to the window. Jamie looked up just in time to see him about to leave. "Wait!" he shouted, but the tall cloaked figure simply shook his head. "I only come where I have a purpose. And my purpose in this room is done. I regret having to see you again, Jamie Bennett.. hopefully, this will be our last meeting." He turned back towards the window, stepping with surprising grace up onto the window ledge. "But I will definatally see you again, Jack Frost.. so saying goodbye would only be temporal." Without another word, the man jumped right from the window, walking into the darkness like walking through an invisable doorway, then vanishing. Jack blinked, the rush of it all had him confused, but still he looked back to Ilia, her bright green eyes ignited again with life and innocence as before. "Welcome back, kiddo," he said with a smile, patting her shoulder, the only place really without too much of a wound. Though Death had brought her back, he had done only that and enough to make sure she didn't fall back to dying again. The cuts and bruises were still there, but either she didn't notice or didn't care. Did she know she just died..? Jack wasn't going to ask. He hugged the girl lightly, her hurried breaths more in confusion and panic then actual pain or fear. Jamie did the same.. and she slowly smiled. "I'm glad for Pitch.." she said quietly. This startled the both of them, their heads raising at the same time, first to give each other the glance of unknowing. What's she talking about..? Jamie mouthed. The winter spirit shrugged, then looked down at her for an answer. She giggled softly at their responce as if she knew it would happen, finding amusement in the strange faces they were making. "Cause of him.. I have people to hug," she said quietly. Jack started to realize how little she was. She's just a child.. yet its like she's more greatful and wise than any of us. He realized she must've lived for a lot longer than her looks implied, but as he hugged her, felt her shallow breathing, it didn't seem anything like it. He smiled, Jamie did too, and they sat there for a while.. and for maybe a second, Jack was sort of glad that Pitch had brought them together.. even through the worst.