Frozen Flames (ROTG fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-Two

[Jack]

It's okay now,right ? I got her already. I'm sure she'll stop now…

"Tiffa," Pitch said in a threatening tone behind me. Oh,right. He's still here. Darn it.

I slightly pulled away,turning to glare at him. Tiffa looked worried,holding a small frown as she watched Pitch.

"Do it."

Tiffa's expression faltered. She looked down and stared at her staff,her eyebrows furrowing as she shook her head. "I-I can't.."

That's it ! Good one Tiffa !

Pitch glared,then made a small chuckle. "Okay then." He crossed his arms,grinning widely. "But there will be a consequence." He played with black sand by his hand,twisting it around like it was something beautiful.

I don't know what he was talking about. But when I was about to attack him,Tiffa suddenly held my hands and pulled herself up to my face level,placing a deep kiss on my lips.

Kiss.

My body froze in shock. My eyes went wide.

Kiss…

Kiss !

Did she just kiss me ?! Is this real ?! Am I dreaming ?! I hope I'm not !

But something strange happened next. I felt her body tense up. Her eyes went wide. Her usual body temperature started to decrease. For a normal person,her temperature would feel like she has a very high fever. But… It's decreasing. Slowly…

We were floating in the air. What happened ? I was distracted by the kiss. Did something happen while I was in that magical trance by her ?

Her tight grip on my hands loosened. She pulled away,panting heavily. I blinked a bit,staring at her. "W-what's wrong…?" I mumbled,noticing her strange pants. I do know you can't breathe while kissing,but I feel like something's up.

Like that black sand slowly creeping all the way from her back…?

Soon,she slowly dropped her staff. Her eyes started to close as she started falling to the ground. Pitch chuckled loudly,watching.

"It's a magical trance,huh ?"

I wasn't able to react at his statement. I quickly flew downwards,holding my arms out in an attempt to catch her.

Everything was in slow motion as I tried to reach out for her. She wasn't moving. Her breathing was faint,I can see it. It looked like her energy was draining slowly.

I flew off fast,then caught her before she landed on the ground. Setting my staff aside near me,I tried to sit her up. She coughed,forcefully opening her eyelids. She looked up at me,smiling weakly. "I love you,always remember that.."

My whole body tensed up. Why does she sound like she's saying goodbye ?

I noticed her shoulders slowly descending into black sand. My eyes went wide. It was Pitch's…

"But there will be a consequence."

No…

The sand slowly creeped all the way through her body. It was happening so fast, it already reached half of her body. I wasn't able to think of anything to do or say.

Except for one thing.

"I-I love you too ! Please,whatever's happening to you now,don't let it take over !"

She slightly giggled,her voice wavering. "I'm scared at first… But… Now that you said that… I'm actually happy…" She smiled,trying to raise her hand to touch my face. Tears started forming in my eyes as I took it,gripping it tightly.

"I'm here,you don't have to be scared…" I tried showing her a smile. She held my hand,sighing. "I wanted to have snowball fights with you… Too bad,I think it's late…"

"No no, don't say that… I-I'll do something !" I looked around,then took my staff. She's like a three-year-old,alright ? A crybaby,but it's easy to make her laugh.

"Look,you don't have to. Just look at me now…"

I glanced at her. She was staring at my eyes. Giving me a warm feeling.

"My mom said we turn to stars when we die,right…?"

I nodded and kept silent,the tears starting to roll. No… Please,tell me she's not going to die…

The sand started to crawl up to her face. And the last thing I saw was… Her smile. The brightest,yet saddest one.

"I love you. Always go stargazing,okay ? I'm watching you."

Then,she closed her eyes. Her whole face was taken by the sand. My heart felt like shattering as I looked at her hand,which was still holding mine,turning into small,orange crystals slowly. As it completely dissolved,the sand and orange crystals fell down on my lap,and hands. Where Tiffa used to lay down minutes ago.

The orange crystals,which I suppose was her,compressed,and turned into a small,orange but thick fire-shaped glass. It perfectly fits in your palm. It's warm,and it's shining brightly.

Starting to cry,I took it in my hands. It was glimmering,like it was a delicate thing.

I looked down,staring at her only remembrance left. I can't help but to feel lonely and upset. Just when I knew we had mutual feelings…

She died..