I'll Keep You Warm

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I look at the glowing embers of the fire, trying to process the information. They told me how they defeated Pitch when Jack became a Guardian fourty years ago, but now he's back. And the man in the moon picked me to be a Guardian, so I wouldn't die and would be able to help children. And apparently I have wings and powers, and they're going to help me control them.

I sigh and rub the bridge of my nose, standing up from the plushy chair and looking at the Guardians. Toothfairy stops scratching Bunny's head and his foot stops thumping the ground.

"Okay. I'll be a Guardian. But only if you teach me how to be one."

"Haha! Well, that is deal! Now, what is your weapon?" Clause asks and I look at him in confusion.

"Weapon? I didn't get a weapon."

"Check your pockets, everything. You got weapon."

I check my white jacket pockets and white jean pockets. Nothing. Check my back pockets. Nothing. On a theory, I reach inside my brown boots and pull out a knife as long as my forearm out of each. They have half a heart with wings etched into each silver hilt, and I grip them tightly. A perfect fit.

"This is so not fair! How do you get knives, and I get a stick?!" Jack says and looks at his staff in disgust. He rolls his eyes and I giggle. He looks cute when he's mad.

"I'm just cooler than you Jack."

"We all know I'm cooler than you. Literally." Jack says and sticks his tongue out at me. I stick mine out at him and Sandman throws sand at our outstretched tongues.

"Hnghh! Sandman!" I yell as I rub my tongue off. He smiles and shrugs, looking like he's innocent. Everybody else laughs except Jack and I, still trying to wipe the sand off.

"Come Jemma, let me teach you the way of the blade."

We walk out of the room and go into what I guess is Santa's workshop. It's beautiful! Toys fly around everywhere, and Christmas music is playing. Big, furry yetis concentrate on the toys they make. I thought the elves made the toys? I look in a corner of the room and three elves stand there poking each other and laughing.

"I see why the elves don't make the toys." I whisper to Clause and he laughs, looking at them and shaking his head.

"Close eyes." He orders and tries to look demanding. Clause just ends up looking like a mad puppy, and I can't help but giggle.

"Okay, okay." I close my eyes and I hear a door open, and he gently leads me inside.

"Okay, and open!" My eyes flutter open and I gasp.

"Ta Da!" He says and throws his tree-trunk arms up which I have to duck under to not get whacked in the head. It's a huge arena almost, with state of the art gym equipment. A set of weights sit in the corner, and under closer examination I realize they aren't meant for regular people. The smallest weight is 300. I tentatively pick it up and I can curl it with ease. I have super strength! I run over to the treadmill and step on, putting it on the highest speed possible. I jog it without breaking a sweat, and I hop off and walk over to the wall of

weapons. There's anything you can think of hanging on the wall, and I look at Clause.

"Little much, you don't suppose?"

"I have much time on hands. I like weapons, they have such beauty. They can be used to help those in need, and can protect you when the time comes. That is why I know how to work with all of the weapons on this wall. But I prefer my swords."

He whips out two swords from within his fur jacket and his tattoos show. One says naughty on one arm, and the other nice. That's badass.

"Those are very.... Long swords."

"Aha yes! And now let us teach you to protect yourself with those knives. And hopefully not harm any of us in the process."

-

"That is it Jemma! Now work on your parries a little more!"

I hold one knife up to block a blow from his sword, feeling a bead of sweat drip down my face. Clause isn't even breathing hard, and here I am about to pass out. I reach my arm out and jab at his side, which he deftly blocks and rushes towards me. I jump over his huge body and land on the other side of him, turning just in time to block another blow.

"You.... Know, for a..... Big guy.... You know how to...... Move."

I huff out and he twists his sword across my knife hilt and it flies out of my hand, landing on the ground with a clatter.

"Oh no! You've got it Jemma!"

Toothfairy calls out and I look at her, momentarily distracted. When did they get in here? Clause takes this chance to take the knife out of my hands and I look at him in surprise.

"Never take your eyes off of your opponent."

I look at the ground in shame and he claps me on the shoulder.

"Do not feel so bad child, in all of my six hundred years I've never taught a person who catches on so fast. You will be a fine opponent after I'm done teaching you!"

I blush and look up at him, seeing his huge smile and feeling a spark of caring for the Guardians. Speaking of the Guardians, they all come over and pat me on the back, and Toothfairy hugs me again. This time I hug her back, and her feathers ruffle a little. She pulls back and promptly smooths out her feathers. I roll my eyes but smile at her. She reminds me of my mom. Always wanting to look perfect and put together. But she also has a big heart, and tries to help everybody she can. I can't believe I won't be able to see her ever again.

"I can't ever see my family again, can I? I'm supposed to be dead, and I can't put them through seeing me."

They all look at me with empathy, and Bunny lightly punches me in the shoulder.

"Cheer up lass. You'll live for a long time, and look exactly as you do now. I know you'll miss them, but it's for the best. They probably couldn't see you anyway." I know he means well, but I can't help feeling worse when I hear his words.

"So I'll outlive my parents?"

Bunny doesn't seem to have an answer for that, but Jack says something that makes me feel alot better.

"We all had to give something up to be a Guardian. But think, instead of just being dead you get to help people and see your parents even if they can't see you."

I smile and hug him. He puts his arms around me and hugs me back, and I feel a shot of electricity go through my body. I let go and for a split second when I pull back I think I see his eyes narrow in disappointment. But he immediately covers it up and I turn to the others, smiling and saying,

"You know, for you guys to be so old you sure do look good. Except you Bunny, you're looking pretty bad."

"Hey! Listen here, I look very good to be six hundred years old!" I laugh and punch him in the arm.

"I know I know. You do look pretty good."

"You better believe it."

We all laugh and Bunny ruffles my hair, making the brown locks get tangled. I try to straighten them out and glare at him. Sandman makes a brush out of sand which I take gratefully.

"Can I teach her to fly now?" Toothfairy says and gives Clause her puppy dog eyes.

"Yes Toothafairy, go ahead."

"Yay!"

She grabs onto my hand and flies out of the door, giggling. Did I mention I was afraid of heights?