Why was he looking at her like that? If he was, that is. That he didn’t have a face is making her even more nervous. Still, Lucy refuses to let it show too much, that same brave grin still on her face. Which name to introduce herself by? She knew she still had a long way to go yet before being able to claim the other one…
“Lucy.” Her answer comes slowly, toeing the ground.
“Lucy …” The name echoes as he speaks it. Somewhere deep in his memory, he recalls that name – had Katelynn mentioned it once? The part of the creature that is still Jack Maple kicks himself for not paying more attention, and promises to make it up to her for not listening. “That’s a nice name. Um … th-this is going to sound strange, but do you have any idea why I might be looking for you?”
Lucy looks confused, biting the corner of her lip as she stares up at his lack of face. “Should I?” Why was he looking for her? Nothing like him had shown up in any of Matron’s stories, or the ones from her prison Aunts; she would have remembered if she’d heard something similar.
“I d-don’t know,” the creature replied. “I don’t even I know why I’m here. I keep having this -” He’d been about to say ‘having this urge to look for children’, but realized how horribly creepy that would sound. “I guess I just hoped you might have some clue."
Then, it happened. Instinct took over.
Before he could stop himself, the creature swooped down and wrapped his long arms around Lucy in what was meant to be a friendly hug.
Jack Maple 