Jack Frost's POV
Shit.
I should have been more careful, but on the other hand, I wasn't even sure that humans could see me.
It was just a theory because of the Divine Fire.
So, nothing really definitive.
"E... excuse me, officer," I said, drawing their attention back to me.
It seems I've avoided another long conversation between them.
"I... I'm lost and I can't remember anything."
I put on the most pitiful look that this face could manage to display.
Don't underestimate the experience of a former victim of school bullying at the hands of delinquents for years.
I'm literally a master in the art of looking pitiful.
"Oh!"
Both of them made a strange sound, identical to people finding something cute.
It's always embarrassing to be the target of that kind of expression.
Fortunately, this is just a temporary phase in my very long life as a Guardian.
"Chief Blubs, we can't leave him like this outside in the middle of winter!"
The words of this familiar man confirmed the identity of the law enforcement officer beside him.
It was indeed the sheriff of Gravity Falls that I remembered.
This confirms that I correctly guessed my location and the identity of the people I'm talking to.
If he's Blubs, then the other one must be Durland.
"Hmm... you're right," he said after a few seconds of reflection, rubbing his chin with his finger.
"Follow us to the station while we figure out how to resolve the situation."
I was a bit reluctant to follow them, but I needed to legalize my situation quickly, and my presumed minor appearance reassured me enough.
The only annoying thing is playing the amnesiac and innocent kid... sigh.
...
"Well, I have bad news and good news."
Once we arrived at the sheriff's office, Blubs took some time trying to solve my problem.
If things go well, I should end up in an orphanage or a temporary foster family.
But I'm a bit afraid of the bad news.
"Stop dragging it out, chief, and explain to the young man."
"Okay, okay, you really have no sense of drama."
Chief Blubs shook his head from left to right, as if he pitied us, before coughing and adopting a serious expression.
"I'll start with the bad news, since I like to save the good things for the end."
I unconsciously nodded to express my approval, since I do the same thing.
"The bad news is that there's no more room in Gravity Falls' orphanages, and no foster families are available in the area."
I don't know why, but he paused while looking at me.
Maybe he expected me to look sad?
I followed this thought and lowered my shoulders, like a dejected child.
"Don't worry, I contacted an honest citizen of Gravity Falls, and he seems ready to take you in for this winter."
He patted my shoulder in an attempt to warm up the atmosphere.
"Thank you, sir, I was really scared outside."
Until the end of our interaction, I continued to play the disoriented teenager who was happy to have a roof over his head.
They were really nice to me, and I even received donuts from Blubs.
...
"I would have really appreciated if you spent the night with us at the station, but it's not really a suitable place for someone your age, hehe~"
Durland made a little joke in the car, which had the effect of warming up the dreary atmosphere of the journey.
They're really more fun in real life than in the show.
At first, I considered our meeting awkward.
But I unconsciously started to enjoy their company...
"We've arrived, and don't forget: if you don't feel well because of your memory loss or if this guy treats you badly, call us."
I nodded as I left the vehicle with them.
I had received their personal number, and I knew they were trustworthy thanks to the original story.
Once out of the vehicle, it didn't take long to spot... a house?
We weren't in town anymore, but in the middle of the woods.
In front of me stood a huge building with the inscription Mystery Shack in large letters on the facade.
"No... not him," I said involuntarily.
Without even realizing it, my steps had stopped.
"Is there a problem, Jack?"
"He looks even paler!"
Blubs and his colleague looked at me without hiding their concern.
I slowly nodded to reassure him.
*Ding* The sound of the doorbell rang several times, followed by the noise of heavy footsteps approaching the door.
"Damn, without Wendy and Soos, it's really a pain..." muttered a voice in a grumpy tone before the door opened.
Judging by Durland and Blubs' expressions, they clearly hadn't heard the curses and complaints coming from behind the door.
"Oh... Good evening, gentlemen, you arrived earlier than expected."
At first, Stan had opened the door with a displeased expression, but after seeing Blubs and Durland, he had adopted an attitude extremely different from his first approach.
He's really a pro at handling people.
(Image)
"Yes, it would be more polite to bring Jack , the morning .."
Blubs hadn't finished his sentence, but Durland had immediately completed it:
"But keeping an innocent teenager at the station might cause us problems with the local press, and he wouldn't be able to rest properly."
Stan listened to their remarks without complaining, but I could feel his annoyance as he looked at me.
I had the feeling that I could even read his thoughts if I concentrated enough.
This is clearly not a power that Jack Frost showed in Rise of the Guardians. It must come from Nightlight.
While I was lost in my thoughts because of this ability, the conversation seemed to be coming to an end.
"Don't forget, Jack, you can reach us at any time!" shouted Durland from the car window as they drove away.
"Good riddance..." Stan immediately muttered after they left, his professional smile disappearing right away.
"What are you looking at?"
His tone surprised me, and I involuntarily looked away before taking a few breaths to calm down.
When I met his eyes, I was briefly overwhelmed by his negative emotions.
Sadness and loneliness.
These two feelings took me by surprise and echoed those I already felt as John Morton.
"You okay, kid?"
"It would be really annoying if I lost the money provided by the town hall for housing you."
I interrupted his mutterings by giving him a little pat on the shoulder.
"Sorry for worrying you, sir, I just need some rest."
"Hmm... okay."
Stan let me into his house without asking questions about this strange little incident.
He's probably decided that he's seen worse.
"Here's your room, and if you're hungry, you can help yourself in the kitchen... No, forget about the kitchen, I... I'll..." He had a slightly embarrassed smile, but he could also be faking it.
Stanley Pines is a good actor, after all.
He's probably in stingy mode, or he really has nothing to eat.
"Thank you for your hospitality, but I'm not hungry." I expressed myself in a sincere tone before opening the door to the room that Stan had prepared for me.
"Good night, I'll leave you alone."
He didn't give me many explanations about the Mystery Shack, just the essentials during our short walk to the room.
Given the unpleasant sensation emanating from the basement, he must still be tinkering with Ford's dimensional portal.
"For the moment , I don't plan to meddle in the affairs of this poor soul."