P.S: This story will contain LockXShock. If you don't like it. Don't read it. BLEH!
The next morning Jack woke up to a tugging of the covers. He shifted his head to see four year old Cindy tugging at the bed sheets. She was wearing her favorite pumpkin nightgown, and held a zombie doll in her right hand. He smiled at her as he gently patted her head. She giggled in response.
“Hello my little princess.” He whispered as he slowly got up, which woke Sally up.
“Mmm good morning Jack,” She said softly, then noticed Cindy. “And good morning Cindy.” Cindy rubbed her eyes with her tiny hands and looked up at her mom and dad with puppy-dog eyes.
“Mommy, daddy, I’m hungwy, what’s for bweakfast?” Sally looked up to see what time it was.
“Wow, we must’ve slept in again.” They giggled as he turned to Cindy.
“Come on, we’ll get you dressed and then we’ll get something to eat ok.?” She nodded quickly as Jack picked her up and headed over to her room. Sally got up as well and got dressed then headed to the kitchen.
“Oh what a nightmare!” Shock whined sitting at the dining room of the tree house sipping on her tea. “I could not get that stupid shadow out of my head.” Laying her head on the table.
“Aww come on it couldn’t be that bad!” Lock said munching on his egg sandwich. “Maybe someone drugged one of our chocolate bars.” He chucked taking another bite out of his sandwich.
“That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard from you.” Barrel eyed Lock “Drugging our candy? Well that’s a new one.” He rolled his eyes.
“I was joking! Geez.” They started laughing.
“But we all saw it, and I didn’t even eat any candy.” Shock sat up and put her hand under her chin, in thinking mode.
“True,” Lock took his last bite of the sandwich. “Man that was good. Anyway, if we see it tonight, we’ll do a sneak attack.”
“But isn’t Jack making his rounds in the Hinterlands tonight? What happens if he catches us?” Barrel seemed kinda worried.
“Or maybe,” Lock interrupted “Jack will find the shadow.” Raising his arms and wiggling his fingers, laughing.
Shock was not amused and wacked him over the head with a spoon. “It’s a wonder I haven’t killed you yet.”
“Cause you love meh!” He teased puckering his lips, only to be wacked of his chair.
“Oww!”
Barrel laugh, “Tough love eh?”
“SHUT UP!” smacking Barrel as well. “Boys...” She said as she walked off.
“Girls..” Both boys said laying on the ground.
“I’ll be back later tonight!” Jack shouted from the door.
“Ok!” He heard Sally say before he shut the door. The town was busy today, everyone was cleaning up and getting ready for next Halloween. Jack let out a big yawn as he stretched his boney arms and cracked his back. “Oh that felt good.” As he gave out a dazed look for a minute, then quickly straightened up as he saw Mayor coming towards him.
“Jack! Making your rounds in the Hinterlands today?” Mayor asked with a cheerful smile.
“Yeah, ever since Oogie tried to take over the Holidays I’ve been wanting to keep an eye on the doors.” He said starting to walk off. “Hope you got some good plans for Halloween tomorrow!” He said waving behind him.
“We will!” The mayor waved back. “Oh.” He turned around and his face became worried.”How am I gonna come up with a better plan than last year.” He whined as he headed out into the crowd.
“All clear?” Barrel asked as Lock pop his head into the living room, seeing it was empty.
“All clear!” He said as they went in the living room. Lock made his way to the couch as Barrel made his way to the t.v to turn it on.
“Damn that girl can hit!” Lock was rubbing his head, he had a bump next to his left horn. “And these things don’t help, until they grow in fully,” He winced as he touched the sore spot. “They’ll be vulnerable to anything.”
“Well that’s what you get for teasing her like that.” Barrel gave him a suspicious look. “What was that all about anyway?”
“Heh heh, did you see the look on her face? She wants me. I can tell.” He said laying on the couch, his arms under his head and his legs crossed. “I bet you if I could, I could make her mine.” closing his eyes.
“Uh huh.” He said then looking up, his eyes grew wide. “Uh Lock?”
“Yeah all it would take is to make one move, just one move and yeah...”
“Lock?”
“ Just got to think of the perfect...”
“LOCK!”
“What!?” He jumped up and saw Barrel’s wide eyes looking off at something, he turned around to see Shock leaning against the back of the couch. She heard everything.
“Oh really? And what are you planning on doing that?” She ask with an eyebrow raised.
“Shit! Come on think of something. On man I’m dead!” He thought then blurred out. “What? Ya think I was talking about you? Pu-lease.” Looking away and waving a hand.
Shock felt a sting in her chest, but she managed to keep neutral. “Heh, I wouldn’t want to date you anyway.” She quickly turned away and headed for the elevator.
“....Dammit!” He shouted as soon as he heard the elevator drop. “Dammit, dammit, dammit! He repeatedly said banging his head on the wall. “Ow..my head....”
Barrel had the face of a zombie who had just seen the light. “Whoa, whoa ,whoooaaah!! You like Shock don’t you?” Pointing at him.
“I do not!” Locked turned facing him. “I know now that I’m gonna die....FUCK!” he lied
“You sure are, better hide when she comes back.” Barrel said as he headed into his room. Lock looked towards the window.
“Man I think I just lost my chance.”
Shock had made her way into the Graveyard and hid behind a tombstone. She curled up into a ball and started to sob softly. “Stupid Lock, why do I even...damn!” She looked up, trying not to let her tears flow, but she couldn’t help it. She had had a crush on Lock for a good while, but ever since the little accident on Christmas two years ago, it made her realize it was something more. When they went to Jack’s house and found a mistletoe above his door. Jack told them the meaning of it and said it was a tradition, so they had to, and ever since then, her feeling for him grew to much more than friendship. She smiled as tears streamed down her cheek as she thought of that moment, knowing it would never happen again.
“Shock, why are you crying.” A boney hand touch her shoulder. She looked over to see Jack with a concerned look on his face.
“Jack I...” She then let out a smile. “It’s nothing, I’m just thinking to much.”
Jack gave an uncertain look, then an idea popped in his head. “Hey why don’t you go into the Hinterlands and check on the doors for me. Maybe it’ll keep your mind off of things for while.”
“Ok.” She said quietly as she stood up and wiped her tears away. “What are you gonna do?”
Jack smiled, “Well I’ll spend time with Sally and the little one until the Mayor needs something. I want to spend as much time as I can with Cindy, I barley see her anymore with the Mayor on my ass all the time.” They both started laughing. It’s a rare occasion hearing Jack curse.
“Ok, well I’m gonna go check on the doors now.”
“Alright, thank you, I really appreciate it.” Jack said.
“We aim to please.” She said as she tilted her hat and headed for Spiral Hill.
She stopped as soon as she reached the top of the hill. The memory from last night replayed in her head. “The shadow, it was standing right here.” She though as she looked at the ground, then shook her head and started off towards the Hinterlands.
The walk seemed and eternity. It was dark by the time she saw the trees lined up in a circle. “Finally..”She sighed as she made her way the middle. The last time she was here it was to kidnap Santa Claus from Christmas Town. She studied the doors, each with different symbols, she saw the Halloween door and thought, “Where would you fall?”Looking at the sky and letting out a small giggle, till she looked down and saw the Valentines Day door. Her eyes widened as she felt a familiar sting in her chest as she slowly walked up to the door. She slowly reached at the door and touched it softly. She then let out a sigh.
“Why do I feel so sad...?” She said quietly looking at the ground. “Why does this surprise me?” Leaning against the tree. “We’re never meant to be.....But why......?” Looking at the ground sadl, trying to hold her tears again..
“Why are you crying?” A girlish voice came from behind her. She turned around and saw it. She was partly blinded the bright moon which it was standing in front of, but it was the same shape from last night. She quickly got up and started running for it.
“Wait don’t go!” The shadowy figure pleaded as it went after her.
“GO AWAY!” She yelled with al her might as she ran as fast as she could. The figure stopped in it’s tracks, and lowered it’s head.
She made her way out of the Hinterlands in a flash and dashed through the graveyard, not bothering to look back. She finally reached the elevator and into the tree house. The slam of the door woke up the two boys.
“What the he.... whoa Shock what happened to you!? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Barrel said when he finally saw the look of terror on her face, this made him worry.
“It’s coming after me!!” Shock yelled, finding a place to hide.
“What?” Lock said with a confused look.
“That shadow, it’s coming after me!!”
