A/N: This chapter was revised on 28/08/2012

For a while, I forgot about this story, but I've decided it's time I carry it on. It's one of the vew stories on this account that I feel passionate about (I also love Cast Out, but oh well!) Anyway, hopefully, if everything goes to plan, I'll be continuing this, so looking forward to it!

Chapter 1 – "My Cherished Gift"

The sky was alight with brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. Jack's grip on the steering wheel weakened as his attention was drawn to the beautiful countryside soaring past. He was mesmerised by the strikingly tall trees and the brightly coloured flowers; even the grass, lusciously green. This inexpressible beauty certainly made up for the hasty decisions made by Jack in the past few days.

Three days ago was when everything changed—for Jack, at least. It was an extremely weird day, and from what he could remember, he had spent the whole day feeling particularly excited. Perhaps that was why he made such a rash decision. After all, what sort of man dropped the fast-paced exhilaration of the city for a relaxed lifestyle on a remote island?

Not him, for sure! Jack loved his life in the city, which made it all the more confusing that he was leaving it. Why was he leaving it? He had a well-paid job in the city, working for a selfish, hard-nosed business corporation. In fact, he even had a decent-sized flat in the centre of the city! What more could a man like him ask for?

Jack blinked his eyes and returned his attention to the road. As they soaked up the gorgeous countryside, the answer came to his mouth ridiculously easy.

"My childhood."

His voice was drowned out by the whirr of the engine. In fact, everything was being drowned out by the engine, which pulverized its way through the bumpy road. The sound was actually rather distracting— hammering against its cage—and a number of times Jack had been tempted to stop that wretched noise once and for all. If truth be told, the sound was probably the reason why Jack hadn't seen her at first: the young lady with butterscotch locks pouring from beneath her raven cloak. She let out a cry of alarm as her eyes were engulfed by the flashing lights.

Jack stamped on the brake pedal, causing the car to skid to avoid the young lady.

His heavy pants filled the silence that ensued, his eyes wide with concern. Jack stayed there for a moment, gathering his composure, before sliding out of his car seat and onto the road. He rushed forward, never relinquishing his attention on the young lady sprawled across the floor.

He fell to his knees beside her. "Hey! Hey – are you alright?" Jack asked frantically, his face wrinkled with worry and panic. He shook her shoulders. "Can you hear me?"

"U–u–ugh..." The woman groaned softly. Her eyes cracked open reluctantly, revealing a strikingly purple pair of eyes.

Jack felt the relief drain into his blood stream. "Oh thank Goddess," he said with a gratifying smile stretching over his face. "I thought you were dead!"

The young lady met his eyes with an unwavering stare. "You didn't even hit me," she told him. Her voice was powerful and demanding, and Jack suddenly knew he wasn't dealing with a damsel in distress. "And don't mention that awful name in my presence."

Jack frowned. "Who's name?" He asked, confused.

"Never mind."

"Okay..." He said slowly, before shaking his head. "What were you doing on the road anyway?"

The woman sat up and crossed her arms. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

"No," Jack agreed with a sigh, "but you were on a road when it was clearly dangerous to cross."

She shot him a glare. "Well, I apologise, Mr Goody-Two-Shoes. I'll be much more careful in the future." The lady sneered exasperatedly.

"No reason to get so hostile," Jack informed her with a frown. "I'm just trying to help. You must know it's dangerous to cross the road at night!"

The young lady rolled her eyes. "It was quiet! I couldn't even hear your car!"

"Whatever," Jack sighed. "We'll just have to agree to disagree. Now, is there anything I can help you with?"

The woman scowled before pausing to think. "Yes, yes there is."

Jack waited patiently for her to carry on, but was only met with silence. He sighed. "Well? What is it?"

"I'm starving."

Jack furrowed his brow. "You want food?"

"Yes. That is what I said." She replied, rolling her eyes.

"But...don't you have your own food?"

The young lady looked at him incredulously. "Of course not! Why would I ask if I had my own?" She snapped exasperatedly.

Jack held his hands up in defence. "Jeez, calm it, woman. You could be a freeloader for all I know!"

"Do I look like a freaking freeloader to you?" She said with frustration, fixing him with a glare. "I just want some freaking food!"

"Fine! I'll get you your freaking food, Goddess—!"

The woman scowled and interrupted him midsentence. "What did I tell you about saying—" However, Jack decided not to stick around, and walked to the boot of his car instead.

Inside, Jack was greeted by a variety of different foods that he had packed for the journey. He offered the lady a pre-made peanut butter sandwich.

She blinked. "What is this?" The woman questioned, examining the sandwich.

"A sandwich," was Jack's prompt reply.

The young lady shot him a glare. "I know that, you idiot! I meant what's inside it!"

"Oh," Jack said with a grin. "Peanut butter."

She continued to stare at the sandwich for a while, seemingly weighing the pros and cons of eating it. However, it seemed her hunger triumphed all, because the lady began to shovel it inside her mouth as if it was the last morsel of food in the world.

Jack sincerely hoped not.

"Like it?" He asked dryly, when she finished the sandwich and began licking her fingers.

The woman scowled. "I was hungry, jeez! If you must know, I haven't eaten for days!"

"For days?" Jack repeated in disbelief.

"Pretend I didn't say anything," she told him hastily. Suddenly, his mind became very foggy, as if someone was intruding in his memories. Before he could even consider trying to get them out, the feeling evaporated, and the young lady's unwavering stare came back into view.

"Say what?" Jack asked groggily.

The woman grinned. "Nothing," she sung complacently. "I just wanted to wish you a splendid journey to Mineral Town!"

"Huh?" Jack said, frowning, "I didn't tell you where I was heading."

She laughed amusedly. "Yes, you did! Silly boy, you've forgotten already?"

"Whatever," Jack sighed, feeling his protests dying on his tongue. He was simply too tired to argue with this lady. "You okay now? Need anything else?"

"Oh, you've done plenty enough," the woman assured him with a secretive smirk.

"Good, then I'll be off," Jack said, heading to his car. This young lady was draining all of his energy, and he really didn't want to fall asleep whilst he was driving.

The woman grinned. "I'll see you!"

His car door slammed into place and Jack twisted his key in the ignition. Before long, he was back on the road, remembering his conversation to the young lady. She was certainly something else, with her impertinent character, her authoritative stance and her piercing stare. Normally, these characteristics would simply embody a confident city-dweller, but there was something...different, that made her stand out.

The sound of a striking voice singing a poem distracted his thoughts on what exactly made her 'stand out.' It was perfectly clear and rung of indisputable truth.

For your troubles, I grant you this:

Someone whom you deeply miss.

Mend love lost and left adrift,

With the help of my cherished gift.

Jack frowned. What on Earth did that mean?