Chasing the Wind

Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians. I make no profit from this work of fiction.

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“Why are you so nervous?” Laughter followed the statement, filling the winter spirit's ears as he gripped the dashboard tightly. It wasn't that Jack was unaccustomed to speed. He loved the feel of the wind carding its fingers through his hair as it carried him across the globe. Nothing could compare to the feeling of flying on a gale that blew from New York to Moscow within moments. But Jack couldn't help the terrified feeling coursing through him, sitting in the passenger seat of the new car that Jamie had insisted they take a ride in.

Despite his repeated trips to see Jamie over the years, life didn't pause – even for a Guardian. When Jamie turned sixteen, his mother had bought him the vehicle that Jack was quickly determining was more dangerous than Pitch could ever have been. A shudder ran up Jack's spine as he considered what could have happened if the evil spirit had known about this terrible invention. His mind didn't focus on that possibility for long, though.

Jamie sped around a curve, screeches reaching Jack's ears as the tires squealed against the resisting pavement. The Guardian's already pale skin turned a sickly shade of white as Jamie laughed hysterically. He licked his lips, trying to work up the saliva to be able to speak. “Uh, I don't suppose you could maybe... slow down?”

The wind seemed to laugh along with Jamie as it swept gently past Jack's cheek through the open window. “Oh, come on! North's sleigh moves faster than this!”

Jack didn't disagree. “Yes, but... North's not going to crash into anything.” Jamie's sideways glance was accompanied by a deep frown. “Well, not anything that can kill anyone.”

Jamie's cackle filled the car once more, almost covering the sound of the sirens wailing behind them.