An Angel Rises

Chapter 9- Santa is Just a Legend

Norths voice sounded panicked as we all got into his sleigh in a hurry. The sleigh began flying faster than it usually does, I accidentally gripped onto Jack. "S-Sorry!" I chuckled with embarrassment. "It's ok, I got you." He smiled.
North started yelling in russian at his reindeer which made me worried of what he could possibly be panicking about...

I furrowed my eyebrows as my anxiety rose, Jack looked at me with a warm smile which made me feel better. I smiled back.
It's strange how the small things that Jack does can fix the hardest situations...

We soon landed in a neighborhood where North frantically opened his gift sack and started carrying gifts. "Everyone take some gifts and pass them to the children!" North yells. We did as we were told.

.

Hours pass and we gave out hundreds of gifts to the children, we were beat.
"I think it's time for a break..." I say weakly, and the other guardians agree.
"Wait," North says as he sees a boy picking up one of the gifts. We carefully creep inside the house as the mother of this child turns on the light of his room.

"What are you doing up? You have school tomorrow!" She says.

The boy looks at her with the gift in his hands. She cocks her eyebrow as she takes the gift. "Who's this from?- Ohhh, Santa gave you an early gift?" She said with enthusiasm.

The little boy gave a confused looked, "No...Santa isn't real, he's just a legend."

I hear a small gasp from the North as his eyes soften.
"Why of course he is! Don't be a fool." His mother reassured him.
"Knock it off, we both know it was you who snuck the gift in my room."

His mother was silent for a second. "Now can you turn off my light? I'm tired." The boy said.
"Alright...goodnight."

We hurried out of the house before she could catch us, and all I could think about was what the guardians had to go through today. It was rough.

"North..." Tooth starts. "Forget about it! No matter what we do," he sighs "Pitch is going to beat us. He will get his revenge no matter how hard we try."
My heart breaks more when he says that, I wanted to intervene but I know North (or any of the other guardians) weren't in the mood.

The ride was slow and silent. I couldn't help but feel a pain in my chest. Honestly I kinda just wanted to cry in my bed, in a warm pair of sheets. I gulped as I felt a burn. Ow- what was that? I touched the dark part of my halo and moved my hand around...

The dark spot got bigger. Chills went down my spine as I tried acting natural but my shakiness didn't help.

.

Jacks P.O.V

Sitting in the sleigh, I couldn't help but feel like this was a fever dream. This day has been draining watching the children forget all about us.

Honestly, I feel bad for Avery because she did try her best...but everyone fails at some time. I glanced at her and my eyes widened as the dark spot spread more on her halo.

She quickly noticed as she touched her halo, which made me turn away. I was scared. Is this curse going to take over her? It can't. I can't let it.
Even though I've only known she thinks she's known me for a few days...

I've known her forever.