What an eventful day that was! Jack was so relieved to leave Finn’s he rushed right back to the restaurant. Yes, the cupcakes were delicious. Catching up with Finn wasn’t too bad. BUT, he had seen too much magic today for his brain to handle. It didn’t feel like a good sign. The nightmares...it would come back, he had a feeling. He was worried about some unfinished business too. Ok, calm down. Almost there. It’s nothing. Alright.

“Mother! I’m back.”

Millicent gave her son a hug and kisses. “Hi Jack dear! Ooh, you look exhausted!” Upon noticing Jack’s full hands, she exclaimed, “Oh, honey! What’s that you got there? Oh, OH! Is that Finn’s cupcakes?? How sweet of him!”

“Yes, he says hi too.”

“Aww, it’s been so long since you guys have hung out. I’m glad! Tomorrow morning, let’s give him some food!.”

“Mm,” Jack mumbled, while reaching into his pocket. “Here you go. I couldn’t find any of the flower you wanted, but I met a new visitor and she wanted to give you this. Something Mullein. Sorry.”

“Ah! The Mullein flower, lovely. So pretty! Take one for yourself too, hon.”

“Ok. Will do. Uh, I’m going to head back home now. Been a long day.”

“Alright. Go home and get some rest then. We’ll be fine without you! Good night, dearie. Grab some dinner from the back too.”

“Mm, thank you. Good night, mother.”

And so Jack went home (it was very close), took a nice bath, and then got ready to sleep. He was so glad to be in bed, although he had a sense of dread and worry too. He feared the magical events today would trigger his nightmares. For a brief period of time in childhood, he had those weird dreams, but they had been coming back again recently. He noticed magic often would be involved. That was one of the reasons why he was so cautious towards magic.

That night, in one house, a young man dreamt of his crush. In another, a single mother dreamt of reuniting with her past lover. Yet another, a redhead used her dream world to train herself physically, while the fair haired maiden visited the other-realms to rejuvenate and practice her magic. And another was visiting a world in the clouds where there were frightening giants and dark forests surrounded by eyes, and him being chased by his fears.

Jack awoke from his dream when he found himself falling, trying to escape from something. He landed into his bed. Damn. That dream again. Jack got up to get a quick drink of water and a bathroom break when the white flower Snow gave him caught his eye on the way back. Perhaps I’ll put this by my bedside. He had this strong urge to, so he grabbed it. There, he thought as he set the flower on the nightstand. Alright, back to sleep. And sleep he did, and this time he slept surprisingly better with no more nightmares.

Finn, on the other hand, slept much better than any time before. Why, who wouldn’t after dreaming sweet dreams of one’s crush? He woke up from his dream inspired, wanting to take a leap. While he loved this small provincial town, he now looked forward to seeing a world outside of it. He rather enjoyed getting to know Snow and Rose, especially Rose. He loved her fire, and how she lit his flame too, for now he was ready to pursue his dreams (becoming a master chef!) and to pursue love. What time is it? Where is Rose? He rubbed the business card three times and looked at the map, where he saw both the snowflake and the rose. Oh good, they’re still here. He quickly threw some clothing and essentials in a bag, and rushed on out.

Hm...Jack’s house is on the way there…

Clink! Jack awoke this time thanks to a sound on the window. It was still unbelievably early, and he still did not want to get up. So, he covered his ears with the blanket to go back to sleep, but the sound unfortunately kept coming. Clink! Clink! What the heck?! Jack got up, a bit grumpy and still half-asleep, and opened the glass door to the balcony. It took a moment for his brain to process, but there holding a lamp, was Finn.

“Psst, psst! Jack. JACK!”

“WHAT.”

“I’m going after Rose. (And Snow.)”

“WHAT?! Why?? You just met her today.”

“I’m chasing her so I could get to know her more,” Finn replied, and then his voice soon gradually turned into singing, “Her smile is like the sun! And I feel alive by her side~ Lalalala, she’s the one!~”

Why, why are you singing!? And at this ungodly hour too?

“Jack bro! Do you want to come? You like Snow, right?”

Where the hell did you get that from? “No, I don’t and nope, I’m fine. Good luck, Finn. Go back home,” Jack said and then turned around, “I’m going back to sleep. Good night!”

“O-ok. Good night.”

So, Jack went back to sleep immediately. He was already still half-asleep when Finn woke him up, so it was easy. And with the flower by his side, he felt safe. How odd. Besides, that was enough drama for him. Before drifting back to sleep, his thought was: How weird, to dream of Finn all of a sudden.

Finn departed from Jack, a bit disappointed his friend chose not to join him. Oh well, he knew he was pushing his luck. It would take a lot to get Jack to leave this town. Finn took out Snow and Rose’s business card again. He rubbed the lamp three times to check their location. Oh good, they are still at the inn. Next, he closed his eyes and brought the card to his lips, touching the lamp. Time to send a message. He hoped it would work! Rose, I’m coming! Please don’t go too far without me. He put his heart and soul into this wish. Rose and Snow...please let me join you guys. Is that okay?

Not even a minute passed when Rose sneezed. AH-CHOO!

Meanwhile, Snow sensed a wave of energy. Finn? It felt like it was him. She quieted her mind, took a couple deep breaths, and worked on listening to the message. Ah, there it was… ‘Rose, I’m coming! Please don’t go too far without me. Rose and Snow...please let me join you guys. Is that okay?’ Yes. That would be fine.

She sent a message back. Welcome, Finn. Come soon. We leave at dawn.

“Rose.”

“Mm?

“It’s almost time to wake up. Let us get ready. We will be having a new friend joining us.”

“...”

“Rose? Rose. Wake up sleepyhead.”

Suddenly, Finn heard a voice inside his head. It was faint, but it was definitely not his. A female voice, soft and familiar. ‘Welcome, Finn. Come soon. We leave at dawn.’ He was surprised. It worked! He picked up his pace, excitedly walking towards the inn were Snow and Rose stayed. Card touching his lips, he thought: I’m coming! And then he added, Thanks, Snow. This is really cool!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning, Jack woke up refreshed. No nightmares after just the one from before. After getting ready, he went to the restaurant to go help his mother. The day began much like any other day. Helping opening up the restaurant, serving the local customers, wiping tables, running errands. Just as Millicent had said, Finn was to get a specially made breakfast! “Go deliver this to Finn, Jack! Tell him that his jelly bean cupcake and the pastry he made was a hit! We all loved it.” The food had been quickly devoured by the staff! And so Jack left to stop by Finn’s with a big container of freshly made breakfast created with his mother’s love.

What Jack found was a house with no Finn.

There wasn’t any Finn at the grocery store either.

He asked around too, and searched the village. No one knew.

Not long after, in the town of Blank, a mother and father’s shocked screams could be heard as Jack broke the news: Finn was gone.