"You're awake again? What a waste of time..."

A soft whisper rustles through your bedroom, and then the darkness envelops you again, settling like a metallic taste on the roof of your mouth, deep in your throat. You put your book down and try to make out a pair of familiar golden eyes in the darkness. This isn't the first time Pitch has come to you, and you know it won't be the last. **

You move your head, reaching out into the cold darkness, and then a tall, slender shadow towers over you, graceful and intimidating at the same time. Your cheekbones ache.

"My servants miss you."

He murmurs, giving you a smile that sends shivers down your spine and makes your stomach twist into an unpleasant knot. Pitch snaps his fingers. The next second, the shadow of a black, bony horse runs across your bedroom, lingering for a moment near your figure sitting at the head of your bed, and then, describing a circle around your bedroom, stops behind its owner. The animal lets out a low neigh and pokes its long muzzle into your shoulder.