Chapter 10
A Nightmare Before Christmas Story
It was the next morning when Jackie woke up. Her eyes focused on the pale walls of the room she was in. “Where am I...?” She though as her eyes then focus on the curtains, moving from the gentle breeze that came through the opened window. Then, she felt something strange. Her hearing was actually clear, and she can feel the breeze on her left ear. She eyed then left side of her to find strands of her jet black hair on the pillow. Then she knew, her hat was off. She slowly lifted herself into a sitting position and felt her face, feeling the scar along her jaw from the attack. An idea came to her mind as she reached behind her back and pulled out a blue bottle. Carefully opening it, she took the bottle to her lips and took a sip on the liquid with in it. She made a disgusted face before putting the bottle behind her back, then retrieving a green bottle and some cotton balls. She pressed the cotton ball to the tip of the green bottle and tilted it so that the liquid got into the cotton. Then slowly, she wiped the cotton on her scar before putting it all away. Once she was done, the door slowly opened.
Jack slowly peered into the room and looked at her. “Hey Jackie. How are you feeling?” He asked as he slowly proceeded into the room.
“I’m alright.” She said with a smile.
“You worried me back there...” He sat on the edge of her bed.
“How?” Tilting her head to the side.
“I guess... I’m not used to seeing so much blood.” He replied.
“Oh... But don’t worry, I’ve had worse.” Jackie smiled once again.
He gave her a concerned look. “Well, we’re gonna make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
“But what if they keep coming back? I don’t want you guys getting harmed.” She frowned.
“And I don’t want you getting harmed...” Jack replied
She sighed.
Jack looked around the small room. “We need to find out about these creatures...”
“But how?” She looked at him.
“That I don’t know...” Rubbing his boney chin in thought. “We’ve never had this happening here before.”
“Never?”
He shook his head. “The worse that’s happened here is Oogie Boogie trying to take my place.”
“Oogie Boogie...” Jackie looked at him.
“Boo boo!”
Jack looked at her. “You know him.”
She shook her head violently. “It sounds very familiar to me...”
“Really?” Looking surprised.
She nodded.
“But how...?” He looked confused.
“I wish I knew Jack...” Sighing once again.
Then the doctor of the local clinic came into the room. The doctor was tall, about 6 feet tall. He had pale skin, with a missing left eye and pure white hair. He carried a clipboard that had ‘Jackie ???’ typed in it. Jackie looked at the question marks on the clip marks, wondering what they mean.
“Well Miss. Jackie.” The doctor smiled at her. “Your signs are all good, so you’re free to go.”
Her face lit up when she realized she can leave. She went to get up, but noticed something. Looking down, she saw she was wearing a white robe-like dress. “Where are my clothes?” Scanning the room to find them.
Jack looked over at the chair at the corner of the room, spotting her uniform. “Ahh there it is.” Pointing at it. “Well I’ll be outside when you’re finished.” He said to her.
Jackie nodded as she grabbed her clothed and got dressed.
Outside the room, Jack looked out the window. He grew more worried about the creatures attacking his town. He knew as King of the pumpkin patch, it was his job to protect his town, even if it means harm to him. Jack would rather be hurt than to see Sally or Cindy harmed. “What am I going to do...” Leaning his head on the glass. He’s never been this worried his whole undead life. What would happen if he fails? What would become of his beloved town?
“Jack.”
He turned around to see who it was.
Dr. Finklestein rolling in towards him. “I think it’s time to take a visit to the kingdom.”
“Kingdom? What kingdom?” He looked puzzled at the doctor below him.
“The Holiday Kingdom of course.” The doctor replied. “I think you’ll find your answer to why these creatures are attacking this town, plus, why there is a man destroying the Holidays.”
He nodded. “You’re right. But, I’ve never been to the Holiday Kingdom before...” Scratching the back of his boney head.
“Really...?” Looking at him. “Well then. I’m sure you’re brother could help you out.”
“Grim?” Jack blinked. “Man I haven’t visited him in years...”
“He knows more about the kingdom then anyone else here. In fact, he’ll know how to get you there.”
Jack nodded, then Jackie finally stepped out of the room.
“Ahh Jackie!” Dr. Finklestein turned his wheelchair around and took a glance. “Feeling better I see? I heard that had happened to you.”
Jackie nodded in response. “I’m alright.”
“Good.” He nodded.
“Jackie, tonight we have to go visit my brother. We’re going to the Holiday Kingdom to find out why this is happening.”
“Holiday Kingdom?” Jackie blinked.
Both the doctor and Jack nodded.
“Wow...” Her face lit up. “I’ve never been to a kingdom before!”
“Remember, it’s not a vacation.” Jack reminded her.
“I know.” She nodded.
Jack nodded. “Let’s go back to my house and get you something to eat.” He said with a smile.
“Okay!” Jackie’s face lit up again.
After lunch, Jackie was playing with Cindy in the living room, while Jack and Sally discussed tonight’s mission.
“It’s been so long since you’ve seen him. Are you sure he’ll help you?”
“I hope so...” Feeling doubtful. “How long has it been?”
Sally thought for a bit. “Well... Last time he was at your town meeting. So that’ll make it 10 years.”
He sighed. “I never even said hi to him...” Lowering his head.
She went up to him and placed her gentle hands on his shoulders. “Jack. Grim is your brother. He’ll help you.”
Jack smiled and kissed her forehead softly. “Thanks Sally.”
She smiled back. “It’s no problem at all.”
He pulled her close to him. “What would I do without you...”
“Dada...”
They both looked down to find Cindy staring up at them. Sally blushed and let out a giggle as Jack picked her up. “You are one nosey kid.”
Cindy stuck her touch out at him, which made him chuckle.
Jackie sat there and watched them. Envying the time they spend together. “I wonder if Grandma ma misses me...” She wondered, looking down sadly.
“You ok Jackie?” Sally walked up to her.
She shook her head and looked up. “Oh I’m fine.” Faking a smile. “Just thinking that’s all.”
“Are you sure?”
Jackie just simply nodded.
“Alright.” Slowly getting up and heading back to Jack and Cindy.
Jackie sighed and lowered her head. “Where are my mother and father...?” She thought.
Later in the night, Jack gave Sally a soft kiss on the lips as he headed out of his house. Jackie followed along, holding her staff close. It was quiet around the town as they made their way to the graveyard. Not many people were outside, which was unusual.
“Where are we going?”
“To my brother’s home, the Underworld.” He replied.
“Ooo...”
He nodded and went through the gates quietly.
At the graveyard, Jack scanned round. He was making sure no one was following, and to make sure Jackie was behind him, which she was. Jack then turned to looked for a particular grave. It took about five minutes to stop the one he was looking for. It was a large tombstone with a scythe carved into it. There were some words on the bottom that were unreadable. Jack examined the grave before taking his boney hand and pushing the lid.
“Jackie. A little help.” He asked.
She nodded and got next to him. When she pushed it, it easily fell over to the other side. Jack blinked as he looked at the now opened grave.
“How did you-“
She shrugged.
Jack shook his head before entering the grave, Jackie following close behind.
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Sorry this chapter too so long, and shorter than my usual chapters. I've been busy with school and stuff. Don't worry though. I haven't abandoned this story. ^_^
