Frost Vs. Ice (RotG)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

*Moser's POV*

I walked around the Warren, Alyssa my guide. She was showing me all the parts that she liked, the flower bed (which made me grateful for all the work Tracy has put into ours-I may try to help), an open field, anything really.

I found that my favorites were similar to hers, but more specific. I tried not to show indifference to anything, I knew better than that, which made her frown at me.

I enjoyed watching her coo to the small eggs, sit atop the rock ones, or just walk across the grass. Of course, though, I never even smiled. I merely watched her from the corner of my eye when she wasn't speaking.

She was distressed about something, and I knew that she had not had as much practice at covering it up as I. She would glance across to dark corners and cross her arms or shiver. She was thinking of her brother.

I'd had family betray me before and knew that it wasn't a good feeling. I wanted to distract her, but didn't know how. She finally said, "Let's get back to the others; it's getting dark."

"Alyssa, wait a second."

She looked back at me. "Yes?"

I just shook my head. I didn't know what to say, but I didn't want to go back just yet. "Nothing."

Frowning, she asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

*Jack's POV*

She was scared of me.

That thought just wouldn't go away as I stood in the darkness. I was becoming used to it already, but I didn't enjoy it in the least.

Aly being scared of me was better than her being abused one way or another by Pitch. I could handle this much more than I would that.

But the Guardians...how were they reacting? Did they honestly think I was never coming back? Did they think I would fight against them if he attacked? That would be where I put my foot down. I would not attack my friends.

He thought he'd conquered my mind, that I was submissive to him, but I was just discovering new power, I was not about to back down.

On that topic, how did I freeze that water? Only Aly was supposed to be able to do that! She was shocked, I could tell. Then she forgot she was afraid of me and hugged me.

But I had to get back here before Pitch showed back up, I couldn't stay long. So as much as I wanted to hug her back, I had to push her away. And somehow, he was monitoring what I said. He could hear me no matter where I was or what I was doing. So as long as I didn't talk around her, then I'd be fine, but I wouldn't risk her safety by not obeying him anymore.

I saw my reflection in a puddle and grimaced. No wonder she was afraid of me. I was afraid of me! I looked like a monster! Worse than that, I almost looked like a Nightmare with the piercing yellow eyes.

I hated myself for that first time she saw me, that shock I gave her. I saw it-I'd scared her half to death. I had to hope she'd gone to the Workshop after that and told everyone. They couldn't just sit around and wait for me, they had things to get on with.

Pitch was about to strike, and he was going to use me to do it. I had to keep them from thinking that I would show up and the battle would suddenly be won, because I couldn't.

I hoped that whatever this was with freezing water was happening to Aly too and she would be able to better protect herself by her powers being greatly heightened. Perhaps she would be able to freeze things through in summer like she can in winter.