It was hard for you to wake, but you did. The world was covered in shadows around you, dark and thick, running in sheets over the stone walls of wherever you were.

“Ah, so the princess of Winter has awakened.” The voice was familiar, and filled with a thickness that seemed to coat his every word.

“Who… w-who are you?” The man laughed, your eyes finally making out his body within the shadows.

“I, my dear girl, am what makes little children at night cry, at what scares them from looking under their beds at night! Do you have an idea now?” You stared at him, into his beady gold eyes.

“A stalker? No, wait, a creeper, yeah that’s it!” He looked enraged. And for some strange reason, you didn’t have fear from him. It was like your brain was working to keep all of your thoughts in, instead of letting your mind feel the fear.

“Insolent girl!” A sharp stinging washed across your face starting from your cheek. “You are alive because I chose to let you live! I have hopes that you will help me, but it all depends on how you act now.”

You were silent, trails of warmth traveling slowly down your cheek, but your brain still kept you sane.

“Maybe what you need it to feel a little fear.” And with that, the man placed his hand on your forehead, and you were swept back into darkness.

-----

When you woke you were, in the forest behind your house again.

Maybe it was all just a dream…

You looked around, your (e/c) eyes scanning the horizon of snow for something, you didn’t know what exactly.

“(f/n) I’m so glad you’re okay!” It was Jack. His blue eyes looked relieved, like he had been searching for you for a long time.

“Yeah, Jack, I’m fine. Just a little shaken up…” You could see something moving over his shoulders.

“What happened?” You shrugged; your mind hazy and not focusing.

“Well, it’s good that your back… I’ve missed you.” He smiled and leaned in. A blush started running around your face, from your ears to your toes.

“J-Jack…” You gripped his jacket as you leaned into him.

But before his lips ever met yours, his body went ridged. You looked into his eyes, and saw something you’d never seen before.

Absolute terror

“Jack? Jack?! Jack!!!” He fell into your arms stiffly. You sank to your knees with him still against your body, but his eyes were closing.

Something warm ran down you hand and you looked to see what it was. Your (e/c) eyes opened in horror. Small punctures ran all across Jacks back, each releasing smoke-like sand back into the shadows.

“Jack…” It wasn’t more than a whisper.

“Bad things come when you love someone, no, Princess?” It was the man from before, a laughing smile washing over his already sharp features. “Your fear is delicious, now, how about a scream.”

Sharp pain spread through your abdomen, and a scream ripped out of your throat. It was raw and made your throat hurt, but the pain was worse. You managed to look down and saw millions of tiny, sharp thorns of what looked like shadows dancing around your stomach and arms.

“Yes, that’s nice: long hidden fear, bubbling to the surface. Oh how I love the screams that nightmares make!” The man was laughing.

“Do you know who I am now Princess?! I am the Boogieman! And your nightmares are mine!” He was laughing as your eyesight started dimming.

“Goodnight, sweet Winter princess, when you wake, your work begins.” And you fell into the shadows of sleep again.