Jer blinked. "What?!"
"I told you, 'You don't have a whole soul.'" Nick repeated. Jer shook his head, he didn't understand. Nick sighed and smiled. "I told you that the spell required the help of another. Not just any other, it had to be one that was younger and looked very similar to me… You."
"I-I…" Jer shook his head again.
"Do you ever feel limited at times, like you just don't have the heart to do something?" Jer thought for a minute, and then nodded. "See?"
"Then… does that affect my memory too?"
"I should think so."
"Is that why I can't remember who my father is? Or half of my childhood?"
"Yep… crap. I'll be back, don't let her out of your sight," Nick whispered, running back down the hall. Marcus threw the door opened and grabbed Jer by his neck.
"Time ta go boy!" he laughed, tear Ky away from Jer and slinging her over his shoulders. Jer narrowed his eyes and had to stop himself from ripping her back. "Calm down, boy. Oogie's got plans, and they include her alive." Jer's hands balled into fists and his shoulders shook. "Come on now, Oogie's waiting for you." He gripped Jer's shoulder tightly, digging his yellowed nails into his skin. Jeremy hissed silently and tried to ignore the stabbing pains.
"About time! I was wondering if you'd ever get here!" Oogie laughed as Marcus pushed the door open. "Ah, the foolish Princess and her boyfriend."
"I'M NOT HER BOYFRIEND!!"
"My, my. We'll have to do somethin' about that attitude, boy," Oogie chuckled, punching him in the stomach and sending him sprawling to the floor. He moaned and looked up at the adults towering above him. He pushed himself up and balled his fists, planting his feet firmly down.
"Trust me boy, you've no chance against us. And we wouldn't want something, unexpected, to happen to the Princess would we?" Jeremy looked up than sank to the ground. "Thought so."
"You're a disgrace to your name, Jeremy Boogie," Oogie hissed. Jer looked up, of course, it all made sense now. He lowered his head again, feeling weakness taking over him. "Look at your father when he talks to you!" Oogie barked. Marcus chuckled and set Ky on the floor behind Oogie. Jer looked up again, everything seemed blurry to him.
"You're worthless, boy. I don't know why I've kept you alive for so long. STAND UP BOY!" Jer didn't resist as his father roughly pulled him to his feet. Oogie's fist slapped across his face and he didn't respond. "I TOILED FOR ENDLESS MONTHS PEICING YOU TOGETHER! ONLY TO HAVE YOU RUN OFF EVERY DAY TO HANG OUT WITH THE ENEMY! YOU'RE WORTHLESS AND A SHAME TO BE CALLED A BOOGIE!"
Ky sat up and shook her head, trying to get rid of the fogginess. She trembling stood up and looked forwards, trying to keep her footing. Oogie turned from his son and smiled at her. "Mornin' Princess!" he laughed, grabbing her by the arm and spinning back to Jer. Jer looked at her and shook his head.
"Do you want me to take him to his cell?" Marcus asked, taking hold of Jer's upper arm.
"Please do. In the mean time, Ky and I will have a little chat." Ky met Jer's eyes again, trying to get an explanation. He looked away, leaving her completely shocked and hurt.
"Come on, Boogie Boy," Marcus said, jerking Jer roughly out of the room. "You should be more courteous to your father, boy." Jer didn't answer, but gave Ky one last look before the door slammed closed.
Ky wrenched her arm from Oogie. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!" she demanded.
"Nothing, sweetheart. He's doing it to himself. Learning his past is just sinking in too fast for the half hearted twerp." Ky's form hit against Oogie as hard as she could.
"JER'S NOT HALF HEARTED!" she shouted, her shoulders shaking. Oogie hissed and shoved Ky out of his way.
"YOU'RE AS WORTHLESS AS HE IS!"
"JEREMY'S NOT WORTHLESS!"
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH GIRL!" Oogie shouted, throwing her against the wall. He glared at her before leaving and slamming the door closed. She didn't move, her head rested on her arms. Her eyes started to water and streaks of water rolled down her face.
"Jeremy…? What… what happened?" she buried her face in her arms and sobbed. She cried for hours until she fell asleep on the cold stone tile.
--
"Ky?" Her head snapped up and she met the dark eyes of Nick.
"Who-?" He set a finger on her lips.
"There's not much time to explain. Jer needs your help… WE need your help."
"What's wrong with him?" she asked, gripping Nick's shoulders and slightly shaking them.
"I'll explain on the way. Come on!" he said, pulling her up and forcing the door opened. He peeked then took her by the wrist and they ran down the hall.
"What's going on?"
"Jeremy's practically destroying himself. He found out the truth of his past too quickly than any teenager should. You need to help him get control over himself… it's like Oogie's controlling him right now." They stopped at the front of a large stone door. "This is as far as I can go. Good luck Ky."
Ky swallowed and pushed the door open, trying to get her heart to slow down. Nick waved at her as the door slammed closed behind her. She shivered as she walked down the cold stone halls. To her horror, the cells weren't in order, but as she walked she noticed that most of them were empty.
"Ky?"
"Daddy…? DADDY!" she cried, rushing to his cell and taking her father's bony hand. He smiled at her and brushed her hair out of her face.
"You're all right," Jack whispered.
"We need to get you out. I need your help," she said, looking for a lock.
"No use, the cell only opens to Oogie. But I can help you. They took your friend down the hall to the Tor-" he stopped seeing that Ky's face was panicked. "I'm sorry, Ky…"
"I've gotta help him, I'll be back," she said, a ball of orange magic flaring up in her hands. She set the hand on the wall, a large 'X' scorched itself into the wall.
"Hurry. The rest of the holidays are waiting and your mother is in a panic," he said, kissing her forehead and sending her down the hall.
"I'll try," she muttered, running down the hall. Her eyes scanned the hallways and she flattened herself against the wall as another large door opened. Two large skeletons walked out, each one holding the arm of Jeremy Boogie. Nick was right; he looked completely hopeless and helpless. Her eyes watered again and she couldn't bring herself to watch as was roughly pushed around.
She waited until the skeletons left before running to the cell. Her fingers twined around the bars and she slid to her knees. "This is my fault, isn't it Jer?" she asked. Jer shot up and turned to face her, he looked sickly and tired.
"No, it's mine. It's been my fault for everything bad that's happened," he said, wrapping his fingers around hers. "It's because I'm a Boogie."
"THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT! I don't know what Oogie told you, but it can't change a thing about how I think of you! You're my best friend and nothing is going to change that!"
"Ky… I can't…"
"Well why not?!" she shouted. Jer's eyes flickered and narrowed. He turned away and shook his head.
"KY! RUN!"
"Wha-?"
"PLEASE! HURRY!"
'It's like he's being controlled by Oogie right now.' Ky nodded and shot up and moved in time to not be hit by Jer's fist hitting the bars and sending them flying. She froze as he charged at her; he looked torn between being himself and Oogie controlling him. She quickly dodged the tip of her sword.
"I don't want to fight you, Jer!" An earth card flew past her and landing on the floor.
"BAAHHHAA! DON'T HAVE A CHOICE, GIRLY!" Oogie's voice laughed. "HE'LL ANNIHILATE YOU IF YOU DON'T TRY TO FIGHT BACK!"
'What can I do?! What can I do?! I CAN'T HURT HIM! Accept the blows, Ky.' She opened her eyes and felt the tip of the sword pressing into her arm. She squeaked and stepped back. 'No… there's gotta be something else!'
"COME ON, PRINCESS! YOU'RE NOT EVEN TRYIN'!" Jer was now completely under control and had an evil smirk plastered on his face. He took a step forward, she took one back. An idea popped into her head.
"Please work…" she said, taking a deep breath and stepping forward.
--
YAY!!! CLIFFYY!! AND JER'S GONNA SLAUGHTER ME NOW!!
Ky and GIR: YAY!!
Jer and Zim: Okkaaayy…
