The Hinterlands had changed from when Jackie last saw it. It was mostly covered in fog and the tree’s colors were tainted. She walked around the trees, looking around for anything signs of suspicion. She had just put her thoughts aside for now, for something’s in here, and it means harm. It all seemed empty, just the sound of the cool winds pushing against the high branches. Looking off in the distance, she saw nothing, just a never-ending maze of trees. She ran a couple of yards further in, making it to the circled trees, and still nothing. She couldn’t give up, something’s out there and it might end up hurting someone else, or worse. Gripping her staff tightly and looking out in the distance, she started walking again.
“Well, we meet again.”
She turned around and something sharp was headed right for her.
Shock was pacing around the tombstone she was hiding behind. She didn’t know what to do, go after her, or just wait until she comes out. Time went by and Jackie still hadn’t come out yet. Then something snapped into mind.
“That’s thing is still in there!” She realized, and in a hurry, went back into the Hinterlands.
Jackie jumped backwards at the sharp object passed her and stabbed the Christmas Tree Door. She took a look at the object, which turned out to be a fancy looking dagger, and turned to whomever threw it. Once she got a good look, her eyes widened and let out a gasp.
He was a tall man about 6'2" tall, with bright red spiked up hair. He wore a long black robe, and had on dark boots, you couldn’t really see them because of his robe. He looked at her with those dark red eyes and let out an evil grin. “How long has it been now, three years?” He leaned against the Valentine Tree.
Then part of her memory came back to her. The memory lost was because of him. They were fighting each other near the Tainted Plains, Jackie was getting the upper hand until he let out a white beam and launched it at her, causing her to lose all memory except her name and her age.
“Rangonas...” Her eyes now filled with anger.
“Amazing you actually remembered?” Pretending to be shocked.
“You monster! What are you doing here!?”
“Just taking a look around.” His eyes narrowed at Jackie. “Before I destroy it.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Almost stunned.
“Oh yes! You see. I’ve been locked up in a tomb for thousands of years by those useless leaders!.” He growled, then let out a laugh. “I plan on destroying all the Holidays!” Waving a hand at the doors. “And create my own.” He let out another laugh.
“Oh no you don’t!” She said charging at him.
“Heh!” He snickered, dodging each of her attacks and hitting her with his own. “You don’t believe me do you? Here, let me give you an example.” He walked toward one of the doors. “Take this one for example, this Christmas Holiday.” He said with disgust as he put his hand against it.
Jackie stood up, ready to charge, but something was happening to the tree.
“Once I get rid of its leader,” Cracks started to form around the tree. “I’ll made sure the Holiday will go with it!” The tree exploded into millions of pieces, sending Jackie flying into the Valentine Tree. Seth just stood there, taking in the smell of destruction.
“You sick freak!” She yelled after shielding herself from the debris. “I won’t let you do this!”
“But on the contrary my dear.” He let out a grin, “I’ve already begun.” He finished disappearing into the darkness.
“Ah!.” She screamed charging at him once again, but only swiping at the wind with her staff. “Dammit!” Throwing her staff down and let out a loud growl. She notice a twinkle of light from the corner of her eye. A piece of the remaining Christmas Door was laying on the ground, the doorknob giving out the twinkling light. She slowly walked up to it, picked it up, and examined it carefully.
“Jackie!” She jumped and looked back. Jack was running towards her, along with Mayor and two of the Vampire Brothers. “What’s going on heeeeAAHHH!” He noticed the tree the Christmas Door had been was completely destroyed.
“No...I didn’t...it wasn’t....”
“What the meaning of this!?” Jack snapped, he couldn’t believe Jackie would do this.
“Jack...I didn’t do it....I swear! I.....” He tightened his fist and let out an angry growl..
“Take her away!” Looking away and pointed towards town. He was too angry to even look at her.
“No! Please you have to listen to me!” She yelled as the two vampires got grip on her arms. “Please Jack I didn’t do it!”
He stood still, lowering his hands as the two brothers took her away. Noticing the staff of the ground, he bent down a picked it up.
“I didn’t think she would do such a thing....” Mayor said with his worried face on.
“Me neither.” He turned and walked off.
When the coast was clear, a figure stepped out from behind the trees.
“Oh no....” Shock whispered as she saw them take her away.
Jackie was slammed into the cell by force. She quickly got up and after they slammed the door, ran to it, clinging to the bars. “I didn’t do it!”
“Yeah, we’ll zi about zis tomorrow.” One of the vampires hissed as they walked off.
She sighed as she walked over to the corner of the cell and sat down. Bringing her knees to her chest, she help then up with her hands and rested her head on her knees. She felt like a failure, she had just regained most of her memory back, only to get her into even more trouble. Not even that, but there’s a lunatic out there trying to destroy all the Holidays and there’s nothing she can do about it. “He won’t get away with this..” She said as she looked up at a small window. Soon, she drifted off to sleep.
Next morning.
Everyone attended the Town Meeting that was held today. It was to discuss the punishment for Jackie’s wrong going. Everyone from Mayor, Wolfman, Harlequin, to the Vampires, Witch Sisters, and The Underwater Sea Gal. They were all shocked by the news, they all wanted to pitch in on the action was going on. They were just waiting on one more person.
Jack was sitting at his desk, studying the staff that Jackie had been carrying with her. He eyed it, examining the mysterious object carefully. He noticed the small carved head at the top, it looked much like her, her face, her hat, everything. The face had the look of sleep on it, neutral in fact. No frown, no smile nothing. He sighed as he put the staff down and got up to leave.
“WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!”
Jack turned around, it almost sounded like a little girl yelling. Assuming he was hearing things, he continued down the stairs.
“WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!”
He looked back once more and noticed something odd about the staff. The face on it appeared to be mad. He ran up to it and picked it up.
“WARNING, DANGER, WARNING, DANGER.” It span it’s head and stopped. The mouth of it was now opened, then it let a loud scream.
“AHH!” Jack said as jumped back. The scream sounded more like a high pitched beep, like a house alarm when someone intrudes it.
“What is that!?” Sally rushed upstairs, with Cindy in her arms.
“I don’t know it won’t stop screaming!” Jack yelled as she shook the staff. It didn’t work, the thing was still screaming.
“Make it stop!” Sally yelled as Cindy began to cry.
“I’m trying!” He started to wack it against the wall, slam it on his desk, even throwing it across the room. The screaming got louder.
“Ah!” Sally yelled trying to cover Cindy’s ears.
“Dammit, dammit, dammit! Why won’t you break!?” He said as he slammed the staff on his desk as hard as he could. Suddenly then head spun and went into sleep mode again. “Phew.” He sighed wiping his head with his hand.
“What was that all about?” Sally asked.
“I don’t know...” He looked at the clock. “Holy pixie sticks! I’m gonna be late!” He quickly gave Sally and Cindy a small kiss before dashing out of the house.
“Hey! Did ya hear what happened last night!” Barrel popped up behind the couch, looking at Lock and Shock, who were watching tv.
“Yeah, it was on the news this morning.” Lock said with excitement.
“Wonder what they’re going to do to her?”
“Hang her?” Lock said.
“Drown her!?”
“Burn her at the stake!?”
“Chop her head off!”
“Crush her with big stones!!”
“I can’t take it anymore.....” Shock gripped tightly on the arm of the chair, irritated at the boys. “SHUT UP!” She yelled, jumping of the couch and swiping a hand back. The boy stared at her with wide eyes and she headed for the elevator.
“Whoa where ya going!?” Lock question her.
“She didn’t do it!” She went in the elevator and went down.
Lock and Barrel looked at each other with a blank face, then looked towards the elevator.
“Come on Barrel! We’ll take the back door!” They both rushed after her.
The people of town were getting impatient as they waited for Jack. Then he busted the door open and the people sighed with relief.
“Alright lets get this over with.” He said sternly as he walked up to the panel. The crowd grew silent as they listened. “Anyway, we all know that Jackie is being accused for the destruction of the Christmas Portal. Now, does any one have a saying in this.”
“Banish her!” Behemoth said.
“Yeah!” The crowed agreed.
“No! I say we lock her up for all eternity!” The oldest witch shouted.
“Yeah!” The crowed agreed again.
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.” Dr. Finklestein rolled in. “If she can destroy the portal to Christmas town, she can certainly get out of that jail cell. Who knows what she’ll do to this town.” He stopped in front of the crowd. “If you ask me, she must be EXECUTED!”
The crowed gasped, but due to good reason, they agreed with him. Mayor, with his worried face on, turned to Jack, who looked upset.
“Jack...”
He looked down. “It has to be done.....She too dangerous...” He said quietly, then looked up at the crowed. “Alright the crowed has spoken...” Raising his gavel. “I here by sentence Jackie to dea.....”
“STOP!” The crowd looked back, Shock bursted through the door and put a hand out, signaling him to stop.
“Shock! What are you doing here!? This is a...”
“She didn’t do it she’s innocent!”
“And how would you know?” He seemed almost relieved.
“I was there!”
The crowd gasped, Dr. Finklestein even dropped his jaw.
“What!?” Jack grabbed sides of the podium and leaned forward. He was in shock..
“Look, there was this man, with red hair, and black clothes. He said he wanted to destroy the Holidays and make his own....She didn’t destroy it, she was trying to protect it!” Her voice growing louder.
The crowed let out another gasp. Guilt was starting to build inside Jack, then he noticed her bandages. “What happened there?” Pointing at her arm.
She took a look at her arm, some blood had managed to seep through, but it was dried up. “Something attacked me in the Hinterlands.” She said rubbing her arm. “If Jackie hadn’t shown up, I would’ve....you know...”
Jack couldn’t believe himself, he blamed an innocent person for something another did, without even an explanation. Dr. Finklestein rolled over to Shock and examined her arm.
“May I take these off?” Pointed to the bandages. She nodded as he carefully unrolled the cloth from her arm, revealing the stitched up wound. “Mmm, this is certainly not a normal cut you have there.”
“What is it?” Jack walked up and took a look at Shock’s arm. The crowed tuned in as well.
“See there.” Pointing at her arm, touching the wound softly. “The line is a darkish purple color, but ah!” They saw part of the wound clearing up in front of their eyes. “But how!?
“Must be Jackie’s potions working.” They both looked at her confused. “When she was helping her, she gave me two potions, one to healed the inside, and one to numb it.” Having a flashback on the incident.
“Amazing!” Dr. Finklestein said with excitement. Jack stood there dumbfounded, slowly turned his head towards the doors, then dashed out of the town hall. Everyone watched as he left.
Sally was in the middle of feeding Cindy when Jack bust the door open and ran up the stairs. She immediately followed him, holding Cindy.
“Jack what’s going on?” He took the staff off the table.
“I’m made a complete mistake Sally.” He turned to her with sad eyes. “She’s innocent.” He ran downstairs and quickly out the door. Sally stood at the doorway and watch Jack run over to the prison.
“I knew it....” Sally smiled. Then Cindy started crying....again.
Jack ran into the residential area and into the Courtyard where Jackie was kept in. He panted as he opened the doors and walked up to the desk.
“Jack what can I do for you?” The deskman asked cheerfully.
“Let her go.”
“What?”
“Jackie, release her now.” Still panting.
“Yes sir! Right away!” He said as he took some keys off the hook and proceeded to the jail. Jack followed along.
It was dark in the cell that Jackie was kept in. She was leaned against the wall, her back turned towards the outside. Her head was rested against the cold stones that made up the wall. The thought of what they might do to her made her feel even worse then before. She couldn’t do anything now, she felt hopeless. Had Seth already won?
“Here we go.” The voice of man caught her attention, along with the sound of keys and the door creaking open. “You can come out now.” He said in a comforting way, signaling for her come over.
She turned around, looking at the ground, not daring to look up. She walked slowly out of the cell like a zombie, not noticing Jack was standing there. Jack watched as she left her cell, no emotion showing in her eyes.“Run for it.....” Came across her mind. Then, in a blink of an eye, she darted away.
“Jackie wait!” Jack chased after her.
Shock, Dr. Finklestein, and Mayor turned quickly as they saw Jackie run to the gates as Jack was chasing after her. They looked at each other and gave a nod before going after them. Lock and Barrel were running towards the Town Hall until they saw Jackie run past them, with Jack right on her trail. Then they saw Shock and the others pass them as well. They stopped in there tracks, gave each other the “What the fuck?” look, and chased after them.
“Jackie!” Jack yelled as loud as he could but Jackie still kept running. She didn’t want to be punished, she didn’t want HIM to succeed. Jack then realized he had something on him and used to towards her.
“SOUL ROBBER!” He flung the Soul Robber at Jackie, wrapping itself around her wrist. He gave it a good pull and she fell back.
She started to panic. This is not happening to her, not now. She got up and tried to pull away, but the Soul Robber was too powerful. He gave it another pull and Jackie went down on her knees.
“I didn’t do it please....” She lowered her head, her hand was still on wrist the Soul Robber was wrapped around. She was too overwhelmed, her emotions came out.
“I know...” He said softly to her. She looked up, tears were streaming down her face.
“But...but....how?”
“I told them.” Shock appeared behind Jack, along with Mayor, who was pushing Dr. Finklestein. Then Lock and Barrel finally reached them giving a sigh of relief. They all saw the look in Jackie’s eyes. The look of fear.
She sat there staring at everyone, not knowing what to say. She felt like a child lost in a crowed, with no sign of the parents anywhere.
“Jackie, I’m so sorry.” Jack started. “I should’ve listen to you. I was just so angry, you know?” Commanding the Soul Robber to let go, he walked over to her and bend down so he was eye to eye with her. “Please, can you ever forgive me.”
She stared at him for a minute. His eyes were filled with sadness and guilt, she knew he meant what he said. Suddenly, she closed her eyes and let out a smile. This surprised Shock and the others.
“It’s ok.” She said, opening her eyes and wiping her tears away. “You were only trying to protect your Halloween.” Jack was surprised by this remark but then smiled.
“Ok then.” He said as he handed her the staff.
“I forgot all about this...”Taking the staff from him, the staff suddenly had a happy face of it.
Mayor looked at his watch. “Well come on guys, we still need to get the decorations set up.” He said and he help push Dr. Finklestein and went off.
“Oh yeah I wonder if Mrs. Corpse will let me help her make chocolate covered candy canes!” Barrel jumped like a school girl and darted towards town.
“Hey I wanna help too!” Lock ran after him.
“Come on lets go guys.” Jack said as he walk off as well. Guilt was still set on him.
Shock was about to walk until Jackie called her name. “What?”
She was silent for a minute, then she managed to speak. “Thank you....” Standing up.
She wanted to say you’re welcome, but knowing her ways, something else blurred out. “I only did it cause you saved me.” She accidentally said as she walked off, cursing herself under her breath.
Jackie frown at what Shock said. She thought maybe they could be friends, boy was she wrong she thought. Lowering her head, she slowly followed the rest of the group.
Later in the day, the town was crowed with busy people. Lock and Barrel were helping Mrs. Corpse and the Corpse Kid make candy canes, taking a taste ‘test’ when she wasn’t looking. Mayor was giving out orders on his megaphone as people were putting up a huge Christmas tree near the Guillotine. Jack was helping Dr. Finklestein make blueprints for the new reindeer, and the others were carrying boxes filled with more decorations for the town.
Shock was sitting at the fountain watching everyone doing their duties. She was just on her break from helping the witch sisters make spells for the Christmas event. She took a look around the place to see everyone in town, all except one. Jackie hadn’t been seen at all after the incident. She had disappeared into the Pumpkin Patch, hiding from everyone in town. Jack had noticed this as well, glancing at the gates whenever he past them. Everyone past as she eyed the gates, determined to look for her and apologize for what she’d done.
“Shock deary!” The oldest witch called. “We need your help!”
“Coming!” Still having her eyes at the gate as she headed over to the Witches Shop.
It was dark, everyone had gone home this evening, getting ready for tomorrow. Inside the Tree House, Lock and Barrel were sharing some candy that they stole from Mrs. Corpse.
“Aw yeah this is bangin’!” Lock shouted eating some chocolate covered spiders.
“You said it ma man.” Barrel said, laying on the couch sucking on a chocolate covered candy cane. “Wanna see who can eat the most?” He grinned
“You’re on!” Lock said as the boys started munching away on the candy.
Shock had just come out from the witch shop and started walking towards home then stopped. Something else came in mind though. Looking towards the gates, she didn’t know why, but she wondered what Jackie was up to. She started to walk towards the gate to the Pumpkin Patch. Opening it slowly so no one could hear, she crept inside. Walking along the beaten patch, crossing the broken bridge, the place had improved a lot since Barrel made a maze out of it. The big roots were removed, making a clear, and easy path. Some of the bridges were fixed, they still needed to fix one more, and a lot more pumpkins had grown. She continued on towards the big Pumpkin Head. It had grown tripple the times it’s size since the last time she saw it. It had grown too big that the big root could no longer hold it up, so it now rest on the ground. She then noticed a pair of feet dangling from the top.
“Jackie!?” Shouting trying to get a better look. She was up really high from where Shock was.
Soon, the feet had disappeared and a small head had peeped over. “Yeah!?” She answered.
“Um.” Shock hesitated for a bit. “Can I come up there!?”
The small head nodded. “Ok!” Then Shock started to climb up the branches.
When she got up there she saw Jackie sitting near the edge of the giant pumpkin, her legs crossed, and her staff in her hand. She was looking out into the distance, from here you could see a small bit of the town area. Assuming that she was watching them over in the distance. Shock walked up to Jackie and sat next to her. “Hi Shock.”
“Hi...” Trying to find things to say. “What have you been doing here all day?”
Jackie sighed. “Well I was just traveling around the pumpkin trail, you know, to gather up my thoughts.” She said bringing her knees up to her chest.
“Oh.” Shock looked out into the distance. “Wow...” She stared out. “What a view.”
“I know.” Jackie smiled “It was nice seeing the sun set on the horizon.” She looked at Shock.
“Really....” Shocks smile then turned into a frown. “Jackie?” She said as she looked down.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For the way I treated you earlier.”
“Huh?” Jackie questioned in a confused way.
“You know when you were helping out, and something kept hitting you, and then your box went missing?”
“Uh huh...”
“What was me.” She paused. “With some help from Lock.”
“Oh...”She looked away. She’d forgot that Jack had told her he’d known it was Shock’s doing.
“I didn’t mean to. Well I did but..” She looked up at Jackie. “I thought something about you was odd.” Jackie looked up at her. “I mean you came out of no where and you...you.” she paused again. “You knew the tune to a song.”
Jackie’s eyes widened. “What song?”
“I don’t want to say his name....” She said, not wanting the memory of him to come back and haunt her. “And thank you, for helping me back there...”
“You’re welcome.” Lowering her head and closed her eyes.
Shock looked away as well. She didn’t understand why she was being so nice all of a sudden. Usually she would snap and argue with almost every teenage girl in town. Never in a million years would she care about anyone about their troubles. Why is Jackie so different? Why she apologizing for what’s she’s done? Why did she except help from her? Why is she hanging out with her?
“Hey your arm!”
“What about my arm?”
“It’s all healed up.” Giggling.
Shock looked at her arm. Indeed the wound had complete healed, with no scar. “Wow..” She then noticed Jackie was smiling about something.
“What is it?”
She looked up. “Nothing it’s just.....”
“Tell me.” Shock said with a sudden interest.
“Well, I remember now.” Looking down again.
“Everything?” Feeling a little hesitant.
“Not everything.” She said with a hint of excitement. “But...I remember where...I’m from.” She face lit up.
“Where?” She tilted her head.
“It’s called the Misty Swamps.” She explained. “I was raised there by my Grandma ma, Inga. She’s a witch who lives there, basically the only ONE who lives there.”
Shock stared at her for a moment. “Oh....”
“But....” Jackie thought, “What was I doing outside the Swamps is what’s getting to me.” Rolling her eyes up.
Shock thought more a moment. “So, now that you remember where you’re from.” She gulped. “What’s gonna happen?”
“Well....when this whole ordeal is done.” Jackie stood up and looked towards the sky. “I’m going home.”
Shocked gasped silently. Lowering her head so that Jackie didn’t see her expression, “She’s really gonna go?”
“What’s wrong?” She snapped out of her thoughts.
“Oh nothing.” Then she thought of something. “Hey, um, are you coming back to the town anytime?”
Jackie shook her head. “Nah, I’m gonna sleep out here tonight, it’s quite comfy once to get the right spot.” She said as she laid down, laying the staff, now on sleep mode, on the other side of her. She put her hands behind her head and looked up at the stars
“Oh ok.” She looked up as well. “I’ve never notice the stars up.”
“Me neither.” She smiled.
Shock smiled. “Umm....”
Jackie looked over at her. “Hmm?”
“I was wondering, can I sleep out here too. I just don’t want to deal with the two boys tonight.” Looking nervously at her.
“Sure, I don’t see why not.” Shock smiled as she took off her hat and laid down one and a half arms length from Jackie, also putting her hands behind her head.
They both laid silently for a moment, gazing at the stars, then Jackie turned and faced Shock. “Shock?”
Shock faced her. “Yeah?”
“If I ask you this question, will you give me an honest answer?” Jackie said with a smirk.
“Yeah was is it?”
Her smirk turned into a warm smile. “Do you like Lock?”
“What!?” Shooting up. Why would she asked that question!?
Jackie raised up onto her elbows. “Just answer it. I’ve seen the way you look at him, back at Jack’s house.” She tilted her head and gave a wink.
Shock looked away, her face was red, saying his name always made her blush. “Yeah....” She said quietly.
Jackie smiled and giggled. “ Does he know?”
“Of course not.” She turned to her, revealing her red face. “He wouldn’t go for someone like me.” Her face looked like she was about to cry.
“Why not?” Her face saddened.
“Look at me.” Taking a break and let out a sigh. “All of his past girlfriends were way better looking than me, I’m just..” She took a deep breath and looked away. “I’m ugly.”
Jackie’s eyes widened. Why would she ever call herself that? “I don’t think you’re ugly Shock.”
“Huh?” She faced her again.
“Come on. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Jackie encouraged her. “I’m sure Lock thinks you’re attractive.”
“You think so?” She said with uncertainty.
“Of course!” She looked up and let out another smirk. “Of only she knew....” Shaking her head slowly. Watching from the distance that afternoon, she manage to catch Lock and Barrel returning home from Mrs. Corpse’s house. When they past the witch shop, Lock had took a stop and looked at the door of the shop, his eyes giving a soft look. Then he quickly turned and started running to catch up to Barrel.
Shock put her hands on her cheeks, thinking about her and Lock together. Holding hands and walking in the moonlight. This made her blush even more. She swayed back and forth, but manage to stop before Jackie caught her. “Have you ever been with someone?”
Jackie’s smirk was swiped off her face an replaced with a frown. “No. In fact....” Her eye’s lowered, sitting all the way up. “I’ve always been alone.....” She drifted off.
Shock looked as her in surprise. Nineteen years she had lived and had not once or even had a friend, let alone someone who loved her, with the exception of Inga. “How...?”
“I guess being cooped up in the swamps all my life, I never really had time to make friends....I guess...” Jackie sighed. Feeling tears coming out from the corners of her eyes, she quickly turned around and wipe them away.
Shock knew right then she was hurt. Suddenly she felt a connection with Jackie. She’d had been alone too, with the exception of Lock and Barrel. They’ve always been there, well, in an annoying way. But hey, she wouldn’t have it any other way. She paused, thinking for a moment, then smiled. “Don’t worry, you’re not alone anymore.”
“Huh?” Jackie gave her an odd look.
“You got friends here silly, you don’t need to worry anymore.” She said as she laid back down and turned to her side, her back facing Jackie.
Jackie smiled. “Friends....” She felt a small tear coming up again and quickly wiped it away. She laid down facing the opposite direction and closed her eyes.
“Goodnight big sister.” Shock whispered quietly.
“Wha?” She turned her head.
“I said goodnight Jackie.” She closed her eyes quickly, hoping she didn’t hear what she said.
“Oh....Goodnight Shock.” Jackie gave out a confused look before closing her eyes and going to sleep.
“Did she just call me big sister?”
