This one-shot is actually an idea of an unnamed/unregistered reviewer (on Fanfiction Net) on my other one-shot 'The Overland Boy'.
The just-risen sun shone softly on the village streets, bringing with it a flurry of early-morning activity, but even before that, there was already a hive of activity at the pond in Burgess. Six children, who had been up way past their bedtime till dawn on Easter Sunday, stood by and watched happily as their new favourite spirit was about to be crowned a Guardian. The Boogeyman lay defeated, thanks to the combined efforts of the Guardians and the children.
An odd rustling sound made Jamie Bennett turn to see if there was anyone creeping up to him, fearing that Pitch Black had come round and was attempting a sneak attack. But there was no one, and Jamie found himself staring at the vegetation that surrounded the pond, a forest, one of the few undeveloped parts of Burgess. He was about to turn back when something odd within the forest, not too far off, caught his eye. Frowning slightly, Jamie edged closer to get a better view, but it was gone. "Jamie?" Sophie, his two-year old sister, asked, looking up at him with concern, wondering what was troubling her brother as a frown was rather out-of-place at that moment, unless you were the Boogeyman or one of his accomplices. Jamie shook his head and managed a smile before patting his sister's head. "Just give me a moment, Sophie," he said. 'Ill be right back." Sophie nodded, and Jamie slipped away from the group, headed towards the forest. He kept throwing glances over his shoulder, and watched as Jack Frost took the oath. Finally, he took a turn and the view of the pond disappeared from sight.
Jamie had never been into the forest before, and there was a huge chance he would get lost, but there was a nagging urge to keep moving on that the ten-year old could not suppress. He took a few more steps, parted several trees, and leaped back in surprise.
Beyond a clump of trees lay a pond, very similar to the one he had came from. Even its surroundings were the same; the rocks and the trees. Jamie wondered if this was a replica of some sort, but why would the Burgess town council create a replica of the pond in the forest? Or had it formed naturally? Jamie glanced around, but saw no one else. He was alone, and that puzzled him. Didn't anyone else know of this pond? Then, he reminded himself that he was in a forest, and it was barely after dawn and people weren't usually about at that time.
He could turn back, but Jamie's curiosity got the better of him. He hurried towards the pond and touched its frozen surface, withdrawing his hand almost immediately, as it was cold. The ice was real, alright. Jamie remained where he was, contemplating, when he heard voices. He looked up, wondering who could be around the area at such an early hour. Perhaps an old couple on a morning jog? Wasn't it much too cold for that? As the voices got closer, Jamie scrambled to his feet and hid behind a tree, watching. Two figures approached the pond; a boy and a girl. The girl looked no older than him, but the boy seemed about 16 or 17, and was oddly familiar. Jamie noticed something odd about their clothes. Their garments seemed rather old-fashioned. The two of them, whom Jamie supposed were siblings, pulled on their skates. The girl happily stepped onto the ice, and skated towards the centre, but stopped, gasping loudly, when the ice beneath her began to crack. Jamie's eyes widened. The brother took off his skates and stepped barefooted onto the ice, much to Jamie's surprise. Wasn't it cold? Was this boy immune to cold or something? But the boy's movements were very familiar. Only when he began speaking to his sister did Jamie recognise him. "It's okay, it's okay. Don't look down, just look at me."
Jack!
Jamie's heart leaped. Could it really be Jack? He looked so different, with brown hair and a cloak. Who was the boy at the pond with white hair and the blue hoodie? The one whom he had been battling the nightmares alongside all through the previous night? Jamie quietly stepped out from behind his tree and retreated behind another, slightly nearer to the pond, to get a closer look. It was Jack, without a doubt. Jamie felt confused, but continued watching as the scene unfolded before him.
