"I'll see you tomorrow morning then?" Zel clarified.
Jack smiled at her before leaving once more, "Yeah."
But tomorrow morning never came, not for Jack.
Zel waited at home for Jack to show up but he didn't arrive.
Zel even tried delaying the trip with simple excuses like forgetting objects or things she had to do.
But he didn't show up.
After hours she accepted defeat and left home with her mother.
Esther had dropped Zel off at the train station and waited for Zel to board.
When the train arrived Zel stood at the opened doors.
"I love you, mother."
Esther waved, "I love you too, my little flower."
Zel boarded the train, bag in hand and waiting, staring out the window.
She let out a sorrowful sigh as she pulled a book out of her bag.
It was going to be a long trip.
Jack awoke, breathing heavily in an unfamiliar place.
It wasn't where he went to sleep. It wasn't at the HQ. And certainly wasn't at Pitch's lair.
So... Where was he?
"You want me to be the bad guy?
Fine.
I'll be the bad guy."