The Darkness Within

Chapter Four

Rapunzel woke up with a jolt. Sweat slid down her forehead. Her green eyes darted from place to place. She was surrounded in soft blankets and sheets. She was in a bed, sitting in a cozy room. Fire from a fireplace crackled and, looking out a large window, she saw a huge blizzard outside. She recalled the events that happened the other.... Night? She didn't know how long she had been out. But... It was just a dream... Right? Even if it was, why wasn't she back in the forest? The princess got out of bed in hope of finding answers.

Slowly and quietly, she opened the door to her room, which creaked in a nerving way. She peeped her head out into the hallway. No one was around. Being cautious with every step, Rapunzel made her way through the large house.

"Hey, sunshine!"

Rapunzel whirled around and swung violently at the figure.

"Whoa, whoa! Calm down, Ro!" Jack put his hands up in surrender. "It's just me." He raised his eyebrows, smiling in an innocent way.

"You? I thought I... I mean, I thought... How did I end up back here?" Rapunzel stuttered. She felt confused, stressed, and jumpy all at once. Not a good combination.

"It's okay. You're safe now. You blacked out in the middle of the blizzard. Not a good idea running out there on your own." He smirked, walking past her. She could tell he was trying to play games. She walked after him.

"Look, I don't know what you want from me, but I just want to go home. Back to the forest where I belong." Rapunzel reasoned.

Jack scoffed. "Where you belong? You can't really be serious."

"I am. People like me... They don't belong with normal people. They need to be kept hidden. Pushed away from the world. Or they might get hurt." Her tone was saddening and she stopped walking.

Jack felt sorry for Rapunzel. He turned around, smiling at her. "Well lucky for you, we're not normal." The princess looked at him. A smile slowly found its way to her lips. She didn't understand what it was, but there was something about him that made her heart burn with a type of passion. They looked at each other a little longer than what was needed, and the winter spirit broke the moment, blinking multiple times. He turned and scratched the back of his head.

"Come on. I haven't officially introduced you to the others." He led her to the Globe Room.

In the Globe Room, the Guardians were busy with their own duties. North and Bunny were arguing over whose holiday was better, Tooth was barking orders at her fairies left and right, and Sandy was... Napping. He could be quite the sleeper.

Jack cleared his throat. Everyone turned in his direction.

"Something ve can help you vith, Jack?" North asked.

"Yeah! We're kinda busy at the moment." Bunny complained.

"Well I think you're gonna have to put that aside for now, Kangaroo. Look who's finally awake." Jack stepped to the side, allowing everyone to see Rapunzel.

"Uh... Hi..." She said quietly.

Tooth gasped. "Oh! You're awake!" She jumped with joy. "Boy, you were quite the sleeper. Sleeping for six days, I-"

"Six days!" Rapunzel thought she was going to faint. Six days? That sounded like so much wasted time. But then again... What would she have done in that amount of time? Nothing useful, that's for sure.

"You were ice cold when we found you. You're lucky to be alive." Tooth said.

"Yeah... Lucky." Rapunzel mumbled.

A voice echoed throughout the workshop. "Oh, yes. How lucky indeed."

All of a sudden, the ground began to shake. Toys fell off workshop tables. Elves ran for cover. Black sand crept onto the globe, forming an unordinary shape. A human figure.

"It can't be..." North's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Is that...?" Bunny started.

"The Boogeyman, at your service!" Pitch Black stepped from the black sand, taking a bow. The Sandman frowned. The Guardians immediately went into defensive mode. Pitch eyed Rapunzel.

"Ah. And what do we have here? What is your name, dear?"

"Ro..." She was puzzled. Why was this... Boogeyman so interested in her? She had no idea.

"Leave her alone, Pitch!" Jack aimed his staff at the King of Nightmares, gripping it tighter and tighter. Rage filled his head as he remembered the last time the Guardians had faced Pitch Black.

"Oh, no need to get aggressive, now. I didn't come here to fight." He slipped into the shadows, making his way over to another area in the Globe Room.

"I've simply come here to give you a fair warning."

"Fair warnin' for what?" Bunny was on the verge of throwing his boomerangs.

"The darkness is coming." Pitch slipped into another shadow, making his way back on top of the globe.

"Oh, yes. My nightmares are ready, and they're stronger than before. Mark my words, Guardians. You will fall."

Rapunzel gasped, feeling frightened by his threat. Pitch smiled as he sensed her fear.

"Oh, don't worry little one. You won't be the one getting hurt. They will." He glared at Jack, Tooth, Bunny, North, and Sandy. "I have something special planned for you." He laughed maliciously, disappearing in a puff of sand.

"Blast that Pitch." North grumbled.

Jack turned around to face Rapunzel. She was petrified; her skin as white as a ghost.

"Jack... I'm scared." She managed. The winter spirit looked her deep in the eyes. She reminded him of... Nevermind.

"There's no need to be afraid. You're safe as long as we're here. I promise." He smiled lightly.

"Promise promise?"

"I promise promise."

Rapunzel smiled back at him. "I'd hug you if it wouldn't kill you."

Jack chuckled. "Glad to know"