Chosen Spirits

Age, is Just a Number

The children quickly glazed over at each other, each look holding a grave and mutual understanding. Jack's memories prior to this one were dark and formidable, yet not once had Jack protested. Not once had Jack felt the need to mask the truth or mess with what was Jack's cruel reality. It was kind of admiring, come to think of it. Here they were, peeling away layers of Jacks memories and very being, the very events of what made Jack, Jack. And he had yet to show any objection.

Until now, that is.

They had seen his rotting body at the bottom of the lake, they had seen him become reborn and transformed into something entirely new and almost unrecognizable. They seen him quiver in shock and pain as he was walked through as though he was nothing in the first of many and much more. Yet, something stopped Jack only now. Something that topped all these vulnerable and private moments in his life or, perhaps, it was something so gory and horrific that influenced Jack's action.

To be quite frank, the children were afraid.

Not of Jack, of course. But what the next memory held, of what was the next truth.

Because even after all of that, Jack's usual gentle and childish blue eyes were now like jagged, broken ice as the hypnotic blue orbs now held fear and something akin to panic. Even though he tried to hide it, the slight shake of his hands were evident and unsteady. And his false smile plastered on his usually youth filled and care-free face quivered. 

And for a terrifying moment, Jack wasn't a child like them anymore. But a old man, worn down with knowledge that no other regular mortal has lived to see, and someone or perhaps something that lived through the ages witnessing many unspoken and fleeting pain's and pleasures. For once, Jack had shown through as a being that has lived for many, many years instead of a youthful, young child. Of course, no actual physical transformation had occur, it was something in his mannerism, in his movements, in his tone, in his eyes. What caused Jack to be like this? What was it that trigger him to react like so? What had crossed that line?

Cupcake's lips thinned, she trusted Jack. And already she new that whither she wanted to admit it or not, Jack's face that he made as he drowned in the lake that night, him contantly gasping for air but with no prevail, just watching him die like that. Seeing his life literally slip away... was going to haunt her for a very, very long time. As young as she was, she knew that for certain.

She knew that it would haunt the others, too.

After all. This wasn't a scary move that they weren't aloud to watch, this wasn't just some special affects, this wasn't just entertainment.

This, was Jack. This was entirely, absolutely, Jack. When this was over, there would be really nothing left to hide, no true secrets left unturned...

And honestly? As much as they love Jack, Cupcake wasn't sure if she was ready to see that yet. And she didn't think that the other children would be, either.

Now, Cupcake didn't immediately realize this. This was something seeded deep within her consciousness. The reason why she couldn't be aware of these deep minded thoughts because she wouldn't be able to understand the full truth of it yet, or because she was just simply too young or perhaps even for other reasons. She wouldn't know until years later. However, she was aware of these thoughts enough to do what she planed to do next;

She gave Jack a last side-ways concerned look, then turned to the others. "You know what guys? I think its getting kinda late. We should go home, before our parents ground us, or something."

The other children paused and looked back and forth at Jack and Cupcake giving them hesitant looks. Was it right to leave? Could it be for the best? Or should they remain, for Jack's sake?

But the wild and panicked look that Jack had in his eyes was enough of an answer.

Jamie gave a indifferent shrug "Yeah, my mom is probably worried sick about me and Sophie. What time is it anyway?"

Monty looked at his watch on his wrist "We've been here for, like, about four hours, at least. I honestly wasn't keeping track, but yeah, we've been here for awhile."

Caleb nodded "either way's, its probably time for use to leave."

Everyone (including the majority of the Guardians) looked at North's way. North blinked in confusion in surprise at the sudden attention, then hit his forehead with the heel of the palm of his hand when a sudden realization came forth "Aw, right. The snowgobe'z, got it." He dug in the humongous pockets of his cinnamon, worn red suit. His face lit up when he found the item in question. "ah, here it is, the snowglobe! You'll only have a few moments to get in the portal, but it'll get the lot of you safely home."

The children nodded with a bizarre mixture of understanding and excitement. After all, how many people can say that they've traveled by portals?!

But before they could go, Jamie hesitated "Um, Jack? I need Sophie back."

Jack blinked in surprise and looked down at her. Was Sophie really in his arm's for so long? Of course, he held her before. But this was different, she knew he was here. It wasn't a swift errand he had to undertake. It was a choice, her choice. Never before, had Jack really held someone like he had held Sophie. No one, had before been able to or shown that kind of trust or comfort in him. Even if it was just a small child that didn't know any better...

Suddenly, Jack was stricken with a monstrously selfish urge to keep her. To hold her just a little longer- Just... a little longer...

Jack hesitantly returned Sophie to her brother, whom buckled a-little at her sudden weight, then steadied himself. No, Jack couldn't just keep her. She wasn't some prize or trinket. She was a person, she had a family, and friends, a life to get back to.

Jack couldn't stop a wave of yearning that washed over him as he looked at Jamie and Sophie. Oh, what he wouldn't give to be a big brother again, to be able to fondle and care for someone and for them to return the feeling, to have a family.

Jack lost his train of thought as North had the snowglobe tossed to the ground with a graceful flick of his wrist. One-by-one, the children returned to there homes.

When the last children (Jamie and Sophie) were the last to inter into the portal, there was a long silence.

Bunny turned to Jack "alright mate, now that the kids are out. Lets discuss the elephant in the room, what's was so bad in this memory that we had to evacuate the children?"

Before Jack could open his mouth,

the screen resumed.

*Author's note*

Yeah, you have to wait a little longer. But, I figured this chapter was important. Despite most fic's, I think that the Guardians would've had the kids leave if things got a bit too iffy. Like (or, dislike) the turn of events? REVIEW! Please?