Thawing of a Frozen Heart

Chapter Two: Jack

In the North pole, everything seemed to be dimmer, which was odd since Christmas was coming up and it was the busiest time of the year.

In North's office, where all the guardians were gathered, everyone but one person seemed to be engrossed with what sounded like a very serious conversation. Elves scattered around horse playing in every way possible distracting only one person, Jack. He was supposed to be with the others but he stood back so he could prank an elf each time he could. "I ask of all of you to be on the lookout. Watch the globe like a hawk. I am telling you,something is coming. I am afraid I do not know what nor when, but I feel it in my belly. Any ounce of fear can be enough for Pitch to regain his shadow form. And if he does, it will only be easier for his to torment and in danger a person for his own benefit." Jack turned back to see Bunny roll his eyes at North. He was quietly paying attention knowing that if he didn't it would be easier for him to make a mess of things.

Jack heard the name Pitch, and like Bunny, he rolled his eyes. "How do you propose we prevent such a thing from occurring? Everyone is afraid of something, there isn't enough of us to stand guard by one person and make sure Pitch doesn't come after them." Sandy only took a sip of eggnog and floated to the nearest seat beside him.

"Okay I understand where you are coming from, but this is different." Tooth followed by her little fairies jumped into the conversation.

"What do you mean by different?" All eyes were on North, and not on Jack for once.

"If I am correct Pitch won't be desperate enough to go after just anyone with a fear. He needs a stronger being, one who can refuel his energy. Pitch is extremely weak right now, so it only makes sense for him to go after someone who has just as much or more power than us. It would be his only chance to accomplish what he wants. Torturing the innocent and destroying us." The meeting lasted for another hour or two, Jack lost interest after the first couple of minutes.

One by one the guardians left the workshop. Usually, Jack stayed back just to goof off with the yeti's and elves so again he was the last to stay with North. However, this time, he watched the globe like North asked him to while he went to check the progress in the factory. Before giving up and ditching orders Jack caught the sight of a light bulb flashing. He quickly called for North to check it out. North was writing down information from where the light was located just as it completely went out. The two stood silently and waited for something else to happen.

"Oh no." Jack froze with confusion, but by the tone of North's voice, he could tell something was wrong.

"What is it?" Jack jumped onto the top of his staff sitting with his legs dangling under him.

"Either I was right or Pitch heard me and is acting upon my suggestion." Still unclear to the situation his eyebrows raised. "He is looking for someone powerful enough to use against us." North rushed into his office shouting orders around causing the yetis to scramble. Jack followed behind him waiting for a clear explanation.

"What control does he have? We protect every single child in the world good or bad because they believe in us. How could he turn someone against us?"

North looked up from the pile of papers in his arm to meet Jack's gaze. "It is not a child." Not knowing how to respond to his reply Jack said nothing. "Children aren't the only ones who are prone to fear, adults are too." Jack stood up shaking his head with a little smirk.

"You mean Pitch is planning to use a grownup's fear to destroy us. Okay that makes sense." With a huff, North sets down the paper work.

"Listen, Jack, this is not a joke. Yes, we protect those who believe with any single ounce in their body that we exist because without it we wouldn't be able to. And yes all of them are children. But, and pay attention to this part, if there is an adult who could influence a child into believing or feeling a certain way that could bring harm to them, that is where we come in." Jack walks around the office touching all the nicknacks North had made of ice.

"Okay I see your point but I don't know if I am fully understanding this issue. Please tell me more." North rolled his eyes but did so anyways.

"The light you spotted flashing was not a child, nor do I know why it was displayed on the globe in the first place. It has to be a sign from Manny or Pitch, either way, we have to do something about it before it becomes an issue." Jack glanced at what information North gathered and asked about the victim. "She is from Arendale."