Trapped by Fear

Chapter 4

(Jack's POV)

North gave Elsa a room in the workshop where she could stay. She didn't talk much so we didn't know much about her or Pitch's plans. Bunny was all for interrogating her, but Tooth stepped in and made sure that we left her alone, saying that she had been through a lot. Over time Elsa began to trust us more. Not a lot but still, it was something.

All the Guardians had different reactions and approaches to Elsa. Tooth was insistent on keeping her company, but I suspect she was just happy to finally have another girl around. Not that Elsa seemed to want to talk to Tooth, whose endless chatter could get on anyone's nerves. Though I think she was grateful that Tooth kept a handle on Bunny. North sometimes tried to talk to her about Pitch (we never let Bunny do this because he had no tact) but found out nothing. Sandy would regularly sprinkle her with dream sand but for some strange reason it never kept all her nightmares at bay. Due to Sandy being mute and Elsa not liking to talk, any interaction between the two happened in complete silence. I could never tell if this was a good thing or not. Bunny, as I said, was kept away from her because he didn't know how to keep his cool. Unlike me of course, but then that is kinda my thing.

As for me, I wasn't sure what I thought of her. On the one hand I really didn't feel like having anything to do with her and all this drama, but on the other hand I kinda felt responsible for her. After all I was the one who found and decided to help her. I tried talking to her a couple of times but I didn't really know what to say. Although she didn't say much, she seemed grateful to me for some reason. But I really couldn't be sure. Bunny, as I said, wasn't allowed to see her. One day though, he had had enough.

I was minding my own business whe I heard Bunny yelling, "She's ben ere for weeks! We haven't got nothin out of her and she could still be gatherin intel for Pitch fir all we know! I've had enough of these blasted games of hers. Don't be a drongo mate, that Shelia aint talkin cause shes working for Pitch I tell ye. Well it ends right ere, right now I tells ya, shes a donny rat that one!"

I got there just in time to see him push past an anxious Tooth and barge into Elsa's room. Then, before anyone could stop him, he grabbed her by her shoulders and started shaking her as he threw insults and questions at her.

The temperature in the room dropped, and not because of me. Then I saw something strange; starting from the spot where Elsa was standing and slowly spiraling out across the rest of the room, was ice. Bunny slipped on the ice and let go of Elsa, who also tumbled to the ground. While Bunny was busy trying (and failing) to stand on up the icy floor, Elsa started to shake. She clasped her hands together and doubled over as if she was trying to use her body to cover an explosive. The ice on the floor thickened and a blue light began emanating from her hands. She looked panicked as jagged icicles began forming at her feet.

The stupid kangaroo had finally managed to stand up with the help of the wall and was about to yell at her again. Quickly I flew in between them and stood protectively in front of Elsa.

"Enough", I said in a dangerously cool voice. I don't get this serious often and when I do the other Guardians know to back off. One by one they left (Tooth, Sandy and North had been watching from the doorway, unsure what to do). Bunny glaring and the others glancing anxiously between Elsa, Bunny, me and then themselves. Only when they were all out and the door was closed, did I finally turn to look at Elsa. Her hands were in her lap and she was staring at them in disbelief, seemingly frozen.

"Are you okay?"

"...ye..."

"......"

"....."

"So," I began, "you have ice powers too. That's pretty cool. I mean like that's cool but also cool, like not just cool but cool. Like a cool cool. Ya know the temperature and then the other kind of cool."

I was about to apologize for whatever that was that just came out of my mouth, but I was interrupted by a small laugh. As bright as a bell and gentle as falling snow. It took me a second but then I realized that I, Jack Frost, had just made Elsa laugh! Why did that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside? Wait- what!?

"I'm surprised that you see it that way..." Elsa said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you think that, that I'm a-a-a, a monster?"

Her question made me do a double take. Why, under the moon, would I think she was a monster because she had ice powers? The idea had never crossed my mind that winter magic could ever be seen as anything but incredible. I took a second to process what she had just said before cautiously responding.

"You know, I have ice powers too."

"Oh, Oh! I'm so sorry I didn't mean insult you."

"Don't worry it's cool. Wait, I didn't mean- I meant... I meant-"

Again she softly laughed.

I was trying to think of something else to say but surprising she was the one who spoke next.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Just, well. Well for helping me I guess," she shrugged.

I didn't know how to respond but then she carried on.

"At first I thought that this must've been a trick of Pitch's. But then you were all so patient with me, well until now of course. And if I'm being honest I'm still not sure if this is just another elaborate mind game."

Another? Jeez, I thought to myself, what has this girl been through?

"Could-could you maybe tell me more about the Guardians?"

"Oh, well North would probably be a better person to ask. I can go ge-"

"No," she cut me off, "please...could you?"

"O-okay," I conceded.

 I did my best to explain to her who the Guardians were and what we did. As well as some stuff about the moon, the children, our duties and ... fear.

She listened quietly and when I was done she simply nodded. I wanted to ask her what she meant by 'mind games', but I sensed that it wasn't the right time.

Then she simply said, "thank you", and "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" I asked, slightly nervous. Had that stupid kangaroo been right after all?

"For not trusting you, and making all your lives so difficult. I want to trust you but it's just that I-I-I-I-I-"

"Hey, it's okay. If you're not ready then you're not ready. I don't know much but I think that you've probably been through a lot. I can promise you though that I, uh I mean we, we will do everything that we can to help you."

She gave me a small smile and then turned away to watch her ice melt, signaling that the conversation was over. As I walked out of the room to see the other Guardians waiting anxiously, I felt a sense of pride. That was probably the most she's said since coming here. Take that kangaroo!