Believe in Me

Dark vs Darker?

She felt the heavy sting slam across her bruised cheek before she saw it happen, eyes flickering with small black spots as her head jolted to the side and slammed against the ground. Pitch glared down at her, pulling his hand back and wiping it on his robes. "You... how did you get out," he snarled, but didn't sound as angry as it seemed he wanted to. He seemed distracted, like something deeper was on his weary mind. Ilia saw this and the deep feeling of frustration and anger boiling in the pit of her gut died down slowly. She blinked up at the man with a more dazed, thoughtful look, bright green eyes as innocent and light as usual. Pitch turned away, pacing around the small girl without  catching her glance. "Don't you dare pity me, I see your thoughts, fox girl, I dont want your pity!" He was shouting now, his words slurring. Why was he so angry..? Ilia had heard of Pitch Black, heard he was cool and collected, dangerous but respectful. This couldn't be that man, he beat the three of them nearly out of their minds, he didn't respect anything at all. Maybe something changed him. Still.. it was nerving. His yells forced her sensitive ears to duck down, her small injured form to cringe. She couldn't make out his words anymore but the voice echoed in her ears. After a minute she felt herself  being yanked up by the back of her collar, digging into her throat and causing her to gag. The nightmare king didnt seem to care though, dragging her along the floor back towards the room she had just ran from. "You listen to me now!!!" He screamed, tossing her into the crate's empty hold and slamming shut the gate door with his foot. He clicked his fingers and nightmare sand glided from the walls with ease, swirling along the air and finally hardening as a new, stronger lock.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the dark stone halls as Jack finally found his way back to the room from before. He collapsed the second his bare feet touched the smooth familiar tile, the throbbing in his leg making him want to scream out. Still, he had a job to do. He couldn't hear what was happening now, but that one faint yell that ran from the girl before he lost sight of her was enough to keep him moving. "Death!!" he shouted. Pitch would be busy with Ilia much further away. For now, he didnt have to worry about the wicked man hearing. But there was no reply from the black clothed figure. He was tossing and turning, grunting quietly. His eyes were squeezed shut, hands in tight fists, hair messed up from the carelessness of his mothions. He's in a nightmare, Jack realized with wide eyes. The small growls of discomfort from the man slowly grew more and more clear, his breathing was heavy and sweat was starting to run down his cheek. "Death, wake up!" Jack shouted, crawling quickly to the form on the ground and shaking it, but there was no answer, just a louder cough of a faint yell being held back. Grey was struggling now, fighting against his restraints, screaming out in words Jack didn't understand. He hated himself for it but it had to be done. The winter spirit remembered the horrors of his nightmares sometimes being worse than the pain he felt in reality. Hoping that this was for the best, he slammed his hand down on the cut up arm of the tossing man. Getting a shout in return was an understatement and the yell of unbearable pain sent shivers through the teen. When he looked back, two bright red eyes peered back at him, wide and filled with.. was that fear? Fear from the grim reaper? It was a scary thought, but it pained Jack to see the expression that Grey Loss was making. His eyes seemed like that of a beaten dog, wide and filled with misunderstanding, horrible pain and sadness beyond anything he had seen, before the flash of emotion Death had accidentally let out faded and his eyes snapped closed to hide it. "Its you.." he whispered, voice shaky and dry from the sudden outbursting yell. Despite the relief, Grey seemed.. the best word for it was panicked. sweat clung to his form like he was in the rain, his wounds had reopened in his struggle and flailing. Jack wondered what could've been so horrible as to scare even the reaper himself so badly.. but wasn't going to ask for both of their sakes. He quickly held out the scythe and forced it into the hand of the man, a difficult task since his fist was closed so tightly. Grey looked up and his glance seemed to lighten slightly as he recognized the weapon by touch. He sat up slowly, wincing as he placed the long black handle in his lap and stared down at it in surprise. "Ilia found that, she was going to take it to you but Pitch took her. I dont know what he's doing to her but I can't stop it, I cant walk," Jack quickly rushed out, hoping his words were understandable since he wasn't sure if he had the energy to say it all again. Death seemed to understand though right away and nodded. Both him and the staff started to glow a faint silver, a color like sparkling moonlight, something so calm for someone still panting so heavily. Then, the glow was gone. "What was that..?" Jack asked, his white hair rustling as his head tilted slightly. To his surprise, the horribly injured, broken figure in front of him rose like it didn't hurt in the slightest, slamming his hands repeatedly into the wall until the cuffs broke, then crouching down and unlatching the ones on his feet. "Healing.. I have an hour. I'll find Ilia, meet me around where you think she is as soon as you're able to walk again." The orders came out so quickly and strongly, and without another word, Grey Loss was at the doorway that Jack had ran out of. He stopped, turning to look back at the white haired spirit. "Thank you," He said quietly, before turning and walking out with full strength and confidence.