To the Moon and Back

CHAPTER 9

It was time for her to go home, Selene and Jack went back inside to bid farewell to the guardians.

"Bye everyone! It was an honor to meet you all." Selene said while Jack waited for her before opening the snowglobe portal to her apartment.

"Take care, Selene," North said, his eyes reflecting a hint of disappointment. The other Guardians whispered their goodbyes.

Jack couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. He watched Selene with a tinge of sadness, his heart longing for more than a platonic goodbye.

The two of them entered the portal and landed gently in her room.

"I think I might get used to this. You know, the portal thingy." she watched as the portal closed behind them.

Jack's face smiled despite his lingering disappointment.
"Yeah, it's quite convenient, I suppose," he replied, his voice carrying a subtle note of sadness. "Just think of a place, and poof, you're there."

He looked at her, wanting to say more, but he held back, feeling the weight of the earlier rejection.

Selene deeply sighed, her eyes staring into his, "Jack?" she reached for his face, "I'm sorry if I can't reciprocate what you're feeling. It's just not... right." she spoke with her soft voice.

"I know, Selene," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "I just... I thought there was something there, you know? But it's alright. I understand."

He gave her a small, forced smile, trying to muster up his usual carefree demeanor.

It was hurting her, she wanted to be carefree and return what he feels for her but she can't.

"Thank you so much for understanding." she placed her hand down, "Thanks again for today, I had fun." she managed to smiled

Jack's forced smile wavered as a wave of mixed emotions surged within him. He wanted to tell her more, to confess his true feelings and hopes, but he held back, not wanting to burden her with his own inner turmoil.

"Yeah, today was... memorable," he said, his voice betraying a hint of hurt. He looked into her eyes, searching for any sign of the spark he thought they once shared. "I should... go now. Take care, Selene."

With a heavy heart, Jack turned and walked towards the window, preparing to take his leave.

Selene's heart ached as she watched Jack leave, his departing figure filling her with a mix of sadness and regret. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt, knowing that she had hurt him.

As Jack disappeared into the night, Selene sat on the floor, her voice barely audible in the stillness. "I'm sorry, Jack," she whispered, a tear slowly trickling down her cheek.

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Later that night, sleeping soundly as the cold night took over, a dark figure decided to pay a visit.

"Perfect," the ominous figure whispered, a sinister grin curling at its corners. "Such purity shall make the sweetest dessert."

With malevolent intent, the figure reached out a shadowed hand, its touch intended to disturb Selene's peaceful rest.

From his touch, she started to have visions in her head, a nightmare forming.

She was teaching in her classroom, her students' faces were all blurred except for Jack who was standing at the back.

When it was dismissal time, she tried to call him but he only stared at her confused. She tried once more but he ignored her this time and flew away.

She stumbled back and saw her veined hands, her skin a little pale.