The Child of Frost

Father Winter or Fear???

Jack's P.O.V.

I couldn't focus. My mind couldn't stop thinking about Fawn, no matter how many times I try to shake her. I felt... Really happy when she had kissed me, even if it was on the cheek. I wonder what it is that I'm feeling.

"Jack, say something! Let us know where you are!"

What? Landing on the ground, I shouted out, "I'm here!" I don't know what I was waiting for. Maybe for someone to run over to me, wanting me to return to them, saying they were my family. "Where are you?"

"Jack! Please tell us where you are!"

"Jack, why are you shouting?" Father Winter asked, appearing out of nowhere. I jumped at the sound of his voice, wondering when he showed up. "Who were you talking to?"

I relaxed a bit, turning back to the trees around me. "I don't know, but I hear voices calling out for me. It sounds crazy, insane maybe, but they sound familiar to me. What do you think it could be?"

Father Winter didn't look at me with humor when I met his eyes again. Instead he looked away from me and after remaining silent for a few minutes he answered, "I'm not sure what it could be. This kind of thing is rare."

"Remember, Jack! Remember you're way home! If you're out here, give me a sign!"

I thought about it hard, trying to put together the voice with a face. I struggled as, like before, no faces matched the voice. "Why can't I remember?!?!" I held my head, forcing my brain to remember the sound my heart recognizes so much.

"Jack, what do you mean? What are the voices telling you?" Father Winter asked, stepping closer to me. I felt his hands on my shoulders as I looked up at him. "What are they telling you, boy?"

"She says to remember the way home, but I can't remember who that woman is." Seeing Father Winter back away from me, I began to wonder what was going on. Who am I hearing? Does Father Winter know? Would he even answer if I asked?

With a sigh, he said, "maybe if we pay a visit to Father Time, you can see if he knows anything about those voices you're hearing." He gave me a smile before saying, "But before that, we need to get back to Frost. There's supposed to be a celebration tonight."

I shook my head no. "You go on ahead. I want a chance to clear my head before going back, if that's okay with you."

"Of course, take all the time you need. Just make sure you make it to the Winter solstice celebration tonight. As the bringer of snow and frost, you are required to attend."

Unable to bring words to mind, I just watched him disappear in the snow. I sighed as I whispered, "what are you hiding from me, Winter? What is it that's so important you can't tell me?"

Appearing out of no where, I turned to find Fear staring right back at me, frightening me. "I see you're surprised to see me."

"Well, I wasn't expecting you to just appear out of no where. What are you doing here?" I asked, calming myself down. "And don't say scaring me. I've already had enough fear for the day."

Fear smiled at me, revealing his sharp pointed teeth. "Really? I heard shouting, so I came to investigate. I didn't think I would run into you here."

"You too? Sorry about that," I took a seat on the snow as I looked away from him. "I've been hearing a woman's voice all day. It sounds crazy, but it's like I know this voice."

With a nod, Fear asked, "did Father Winter tell you anything?"

"No. He seemed to be in a hurry to get back to Frost, but that could be because of the celebration we do every year."

"Not true. If I recall correctly, so many years ago, Father Winter and Father Time made sure to hide something from you. What was it again? Memories?" I looked up at Fear, unable to believe him. "They said it was for your own good that they remove them from you. I never understood why."

Shaking my head no, I looked up to him as I said, "he wouldn't hide anything from me. Father Winter always tells me what's going on."

"Think about it, Jack. He never told you about your parents, did he? How he froze them in ice? The pain they must have felt as the cold froze their entire bodies?" Fear made a really good point, but it was still Father Winter we were talking about. Maybe there is something he's hiding from me? "If you don't believe me, I can show you the moment he told everyone to stay quiet around you."

Without waiting for an answer, a scene appeared in front of me, showing a much younger looking Father Winter. He was surrounded by the other children of Frost, but I was no where to be seen.

"We are all aware of the hardships Little Jack has faced in his previous life. In order to protect that poor boy, Father Time and I have taken away his memories, and will be keeping an eye on him. There is tremendous power inside the child that could be used in multiple ways, but in order to prevent the worse case scenario, no one is allowed to tell Jack of this meeting." Father Winter took a deep breath before saying, "no one is allowed to tell him anything of his human life. From this moment on, Jack will be known as Jack Frost, bringer of winter. Any word of this, and I'll make sure the one who told will be severely punished."

"That's a lie. It has to be a lie. What happened to me that they couldn't tell me?" I asked, unable to believe it. "I heard all the stories about me, but which one is true? What happened?"

Fear gave a satisfied smile as he knelt down beside me. "That is not my place to show you. Have Father Winter tell you, but if he decides not to, then come back to me. I've never been one to play by the rules."

With that, I was left alone again with only my thoughts to keep me company. Based on what I just seen, I began to feel as if my entire presence has been a lie. It was as if I was only being used for this power inside of me. Why me though? Why do I have this power? What is my true purpose? Will anyone tell me?