The is a reload of Chapter 8. For some odd reason it took everyone back to chapter 1. So if Chapter 8 works now, skip this one.
Chapter 8
One Holiday Down
A Nightmare Before Christmas Story
Jackie opened her eyes once more, it was broad daylight. A light wind blew in the air as she pushed herself up, making her hat flow to the right. From the distance she saw Mayor driving around in his hearse making his daily announcement. She turned to Shock to wake her up only to find that she was gone. She must have gone to check on the boys. Turning towards the sound of the megaphone, Mayor was saying something about a daily round up for a Christmas event. The noise of her staff’s head turning caught her attention as she quickly grabbed it before it fell on the Giant Pumpkin. The staff was in a neutral state.
“Jackie!?” The voice of Shock can be heard from below.
Carefully crawling to the edge, she saw Shock standing there with a basket. “Morning Shock!” She waved.
Shock waved back. “Come on! We’re going to the Tree House!” Walking off.
“Huh?” Tilting her head to the side.
Shock was skipping along the Pumpkin Patch. She felt so happy today for some reason. Happy thoughts were racing through her head. Was it her dream that made her this way, or was it the fact that she made a friend?
“Where’s this Tree House?” Jackie peeped over to her, somehow she ended up walking right next to her.
“Wha...” Shock stopped. “How did you get down so fast?”
Jackie looked back at the pumpkin then looked back, shrugging her shoulders with a while smile. “I guess I’m good like that.” She giggled walking off, then realizing she didn’t know where she was going. “Oh...right....I’m following you.” Scratching the back of her head.
Shock nodded with a smirk on her face, then she lead her to the Tree House.
“Barrel!?” Lock shouted from the lobby of the House.
“What!!!!?” Barrel busted out of his room, still in his pajamas. He looked very annoyed having to be woken up.
“Have you seen Shock? She hasn’t come home last night.” A look of worry was painted on his face.
“Aww do you miss her that much?” He teased.
“NO! I just want to know is she’s alright.” He slumped on the couch.
They both heard the elevator coming up. “Well there she is.” Barrel said. “Don’t get too happy now.” He quickly went back in his room to get dressed.
Lock turned to see Shock and Jackie exiting the elevator. Jackie looked around in amazement while Shock was heading to the kitchen.
“Where the hell have you been!?” Lock jumped up and glared towards Shock.
“Jackie and I were having a little sleep over at the Pumpkin Patch. Gotta problem with that?” She stood by the entrance to the kitchen, hands on her hips.
“Yeah! Warn me next time!”
Jackie stood there watching the argument, turning towards the voice of whoever was speaking, or shall we say, yelling.
“Aww did you miss me that much?” She gave him a cute look.
“Hell no!” Trying hard not to blush. “You know with all the crap going on in the Hinterlands...” He tried carefully to pick out the words he was going to say.
“Hey lovebirds!” Barrel walked out of his room, fully dressed. “Hey Jackie!” His face lit up when he saw her in the room.
Jackie let out a nervous smile as she waved back at him.
“BARREL!”
He screamed as he ran from an empty flying basket aimed at him. “Sheesh so much for Good Morning.” Hiding behind the couch.
Jackie still stood there.
Shock managed to calm down and walked into the kitchen.
“Hey Jackie.” Lock said, finally seeing her standing there. “Sorry about that. You know her.” Pointing at her direction with his thumb, only to be hit square in the face with a flying frying pan. “AH! You bitch!” Picking himself up.
“Well YOU started it!” Her head peeping out.
“You didn’t have to hit me with a damn frying pan!” Charging into the kitchen.
Jackie still stood there.
“Aww don’t be such a baby!”
“Hey Jackie let’s watch some tv.” Barrel said as he jumped on to the couch and turned the tv on.
“A baby!? My nose is fucking bleeding for fuck sake!”
The sound of Shock and Lock arguing could still be heard from the kitchen as she went toward the couch. Jackie carefully tip toed over the frying pan on the floor and took a seat next to Barrel. “They always argue?”
“You sure do whine like one....”
“Every morning.” Barrel leaned on the arm of the couch.
“You would be too if I threw one at you!!”
“Oh...” They both turned towards the kitchen, then turned back.
“Well next time don’t blame shit on me that YOU started.”
“So you alright?” Barrel asked.
“Huh?”
“Grr.....Fine...”
“Yesterday. You know, that whole incident in the Hinterlands..” He hinted
“Oh that...” She paused “Yeah, it was no biggie.” She smiled.
“No biggie? You were in jail!” He gave her a confused look.
“I know.” Messing with her fingers. “But he was only protecting you guys. He didn’t mean to.” She looked back up at him.
“Ah..” They then noticed the yelling had stopped. “To le kitchen” Barrel said in a french accent.
Jackie giggled. “Sure.”
They both walked into the kitchen to find Shock bandaging up Lock’s nose while he leaned over on the table. Jackie stopped for a moment to examine the look on Lock’s face, it was the same look she saw sitting on the Giant Pumpkin.
“Aww, look at the little devil getting his booboo healed.” Barrel teased as he headed toward the fridge.
“Shut it Barrel!” Both of them said.
“Hee hee!” He chuckled pulling out some milk. Opening it and took a whiff. “How long has this been in here?”
“A week.” Shock answered. “It hasn’t been that long.”
“Sweet! Hey Jackie wasn’t some cereal.”
“What’s that?”
Lock, Shock and Barrel stopped and stared towards Jackie. “You don’t know what cereal is?” Barrel asked as if she was a retard.
“No....” She blushed. “I’ve never heard of it.....what is it..?”
“Uh...” Barrel looked back towards the other two, then looked at Jackie again. Then, he went into one of the cupboards and took out a box. “Well....it’s like this.” Pouring the contents into a bowl. “You see, uh....Oh hell I’ll just show you...” He then took the milk and poured some into the bowl as well. Taking a spoon, he handed it to Jackie. “Try it...”He winked.
She took a scoop of cereal with her spoon and put it to her mouth. Taking a quick examination, she then slowly put the spoon in her mouth and crunched on the cereal. Chewing it slowly before she swallowed, her face lit up. “Mmmm!” She took another scoop and ate it. “This is so good!” Trying not to talk with her mouth full.
“Told ya!” Barrel proudly said as he made some for himself.
“Leave the stuff out.” Shock said finishing up Lock’s nose. “I’m gonna have some.”
“Might at well have some too.” Rubbing his nose.
They all sat quietly at the table eating their cereal. Jackie taking each bite like a kid eating ice cream, with Barrel laughing at her. Shock ate her’s quietly, stirring at it from time to time, and Lock was watching all three, mostly Jackie. With her being so excited about cereal, who wouldn’t?
“Oh my goodness!” Jackie finally finished. “What is this stuff called!?
Barrel showed her the box. “Count Chocula! My favorite cereal!”
Jackie let out a wide smile. “Amazing, I must tell Inga about this!”
“Who’s Inga?” Lock asked.
“Oh! She’s my guardian.” Then she remembered. “I’m from the Misty Swamps.”
“Cool! Where’s that?” Barrel asked next.
Jackie thought for a moment. “That’s a good question....I don’t know....” Thinking hard. “I only got part of my memory back..” Eyeing the table.
“Oh.” Lock then noticed Shock starring in space. “Hey Shock wake up!” Giving her a light punch on the arm, knocking her spoon down.
“Hey what was that all about!?” She snapped
“Hello Halloween Town to Shock, you were daydreaming again.”
“Was not...” Crossing her arms
“Was too.”
“Was not!”
“Was too!”
“WAS NOT!”
“Get a room you two!” Barrel yelled, then suddenly getting hit by Lock’s spoon.
Jackie once again, just sat there.
“First off, there is no me and Shock. Second, there will NEVER be a ME and SHOCK! Got it?” Looking quite annoyed.
“Yeah, wouldn’t want to be with a whiney devil.” Shock got up.
“What did you say!?” His face full of anger now.
“You heard me.” She said calmly. “You WHINE too MUCH.” Pretending to rub her eyes like a crying child.
“That’s it!” Lock shot up and ran towards her. Shock gasped as she ran toward the bathroom and locked herself in. “Open the door!” Lock pushed at the door, trying to break in.
“Oh kiss my ass!” Shock yelled from the bathroom.
Barrel and Jackie poked their heads out of the kitchen and tune in.
“Open the damn door Shock!”
“Oh.....and why should I do that??”
“I swear I’m gonna break this door down and kick your ass if you don’t open it!” He threatened.
“Oh come on then Lock my ass is in here come kick it!” Somehow this turned him on a bit...
“I love it when she teases me like this....”He thought, then snapping out of it. “Oh what the hell am I saying!?” Then he backed up some, Jackie and Barrel still keeping and eye on them while Barrel popped a lollipop in his mouth. “Here I come..” He whispered then charging at the door. Successfully breaking it as he slammed into it. Shock turned around and let out a gasp, there was no where to run. “Now about me kicking you ass.” Lock walked over with a devilish grin on his face, cracking his knuckles.
“Aww fuck..” She pouted as she backed up against the wall.
Walking closer and closer her, Lock started to have something else in mind. He no longer wanted to fight her, seeing the look of surrender in her eyes, something made him want to do something else, something he wanted to do for a while now. Jackie and Barrel ran toward the bathroom and looked in.
“What’s he doing?” Barrel whispered urgently.
“I don’t know...” Looking in.
Lock finally got up to her and leaned his hands against the wall, looking her straight in her eyes. “Well well, if it isn’t Shock with nowhere to run.” Leaning his face closer to her.
“Well whoopty doo, what are ya gonna do now?” Trying not to look at him.
“I don’t know what should I do?” He teased, now pressing his body against hers.
“What are you doing?” Shock tensed up. “Why are you so close?” Trying to push away but Lock grabbed hold on her arms and pressed them against the wall.
“Where do you think you’re going.” Letting out a smirk.
“Is he gonna do......What I think he’s gonna do?” Jackie whispered
“Finally?” Barrel looked over at Jackie and shrugged.
“Oh just get it over with already?” Blushing.
“Oh blushing are we?” Teasing her once again.
“Fine you wanna play games, let’s play.” She looked up at him. “Well I can’t help it. You’ve got me in quite a hold.” She said seductively.
“Eh?” He then started to blush, his tail whipping up.
“Now, why are you blushing. Can’t handle me?” Raising her eyebrow with a smirk.
“Oh yeah.” “Oh I think I can handle you quite well.” He said taking one hand off her arm and wrapping around her waist and pulling her in closer using his tail as well. Pulling back with his other hand still on her wrist.
“Oh hurry up already...” Jackie whispered.
“Yeah..”Liking at his lollipop. Both of them were now sitting in front of the bathroom entrance, Barrel resting his head on his hand while Jackie rocked back and fourth.
“Uh Lock what are you doing?” Trying to push away, but his grip got even tighter.
“Something I wanted to do for a long time...” He said leaning in closer.
Shock after a while stopped trying to push away, she knew what was happening. He was going to kiss her. Her heart was racing, and so was his. Jackie and Barrel leaned forward and cheered silently, urging them to do it. She relaxed and they got closer, lips barely touching. Then suddenly the house started shaking along with the sound of an explosion, knocking everyone over. Shock landed on top on Lock, Barrel was knocked over to the side, and Jackie was knocked forward on her face.
“What the hell!?” Lock panicked, realizing the Shock was on top on him. They both blushed once more before she pushed herself off him and ran out. Jackie and Barrel was already looking out the window when Shock and Lock finally looked out. Smoke was coming from the Hinterlands.
“DANGER! DANGER!” A voice was heard from the doorway to the elevator.
“What was that?” Barrel asked giving a weird look.
“I don’t know.” Jackie shrugged her shoulders.
“DANGER! DANGER!”
“There it is again..” Lock said as they all ran towards the elevator.
“It’s just my staff?” Jackie tilted her head then saw it had a mad face on it. She picked it up and examine it.
Nothing.
“Mmm. Hey we should do down and see what happened.”
“Good Idea.” They said as they went down the elevator.
They ran towards the gates of Spiral Hill to find Jack, Mayor, Dr. Finklestein, and Wolfman at the gate. Jack had his Soul Robber around his wrist again, Mayor had his worry face on, and the doctor looked completely puzzled. Wolfman was sniffing at the air when they arrived.
“What happened?” Jackie looked toward that Gate.
“We don’t know yet.” Jack looking as well, then back at the teens.
“Lock, what happened to your nose?” Mayor stared at him.
Lock pointed his thumb at Shock, glaring at her from the corner of his eyes.
“You had it coming.” Shock looking away crossing her arms.
“I see...” Jack paused then looked up. “Ah here he comes!”
A white glowing figure was flying gently to the ground. It’s orange nose brightened revealing a pumpkin shape to it. Jackie never saw this before, what is it? Looking closely, it had a piece of pink wood in it’s mouth.
“Good work Zero!” Jack said as the ghost dog gave him the piece of wood.
“Oh no...” Dr Finklestein gasped.
“What is it?” Wolfman asked.
“Something happened to the Valentine’s Day door. Come on!” He rushed through the gate. Everyone followed along.
It took a while before they finally reached the Holiday Trees. They stopped for a bit and examined the Valentine tree. The whole tree was cracked, ready to burst at any minute. Smoke was coming through the portal, the door was broken and hung at an angle, exposing the opening.
“Back away!” Jackie backed up quickly.
“Wha?” The other confusedly asked.
“It’s gonna blow!” She hid behind the Halloween Tree.
Sure enough, by the time everyone hid, the three had exploded into millions of pieces, Just like the Christmas Tree. Their heads peeped out afterwards, seeing pieces of the tree that had stabbed into the others. When Jackie saw this, she new it had begun.
“Oh no...”
“What the hell happened to the .......... tree.” Barrel covered his mouth quickly while everyone went in shock. “.........” He tried once more, but he couldn’t say Valentine.
“.........” The others tried. Jackie dropped to her knees.
“Jackie, what’s going on?” Jack demanded. Zero whined.
“He not only destroyed it.....he wiped the word out of existence.......” Jackie was horrified.
“WHAT!? How can this be!?” Wolfman yelled.
“I don’t know.” She started to panic. Then looking to where the Christmas Tree was. “Christmas.” Surprised.
“What?” Shock questioned.
Jackie shot up. “Don’t you see? He hasn’t destroyed Christmas yet.....the word is still there!”
“Then how was I able to say ........ before the tree blew up?” Jack question, still shocked that the word didn’t come out.
They looked up at the other Holiday Trees, still intact, not a scratch on them. Only the pieces of the Valentine Tree stabbed into them. “Because it wasn’t obliterated yet...”
“Alright.” Jack said firmly. “From now one NO ONE is allowed in the Hinterlands.” He turned towards the Halloween Tree. “We need someone to stand watch.”
“I will..” Jackie spoke up.
Everyone turned to her. “No Jackie we can’t....”
“Jack, it’s my fault he’s here.” She lowered his head. “He’s the one who took my memory. I’m the one who fought him.” Then her eyes widened as she covered her mouth with both hands. “I lead him here.....” She quietly said as she dropped to her knees once more.
“WHAT!?” Wolfman grew angry.
“HOLD IT!” Shock interrupted. “When she came here she had lost her memory. It wasn’t her fault.” She looked at Jackie. “He used her.....”
“Because he knew she would lead him here...” Lock concluded.
“Not just here.” Barrel added, “To the portal to the other Holidays.....” Everyone gasped.
“But why did he take my memory....and the fact that he hasn’t killed me yet puzzles me.”
“What do you mean?” Jack asked.
“He could’ve killed back were we fought. I just don’t know why?”
“Well consider yourself lucky.” Mayor said trying to cheer her up.
“Your right...” She smiled. “When he come’s here, I’ll be ready.”
“Jackie are you sure?” Jack said, not sure if this was a good idea.
She nodded. “You guys go on home, I don’t want you guys getting hurt.” Shooing them away.
“Alright.” Jack said as he turned and headed back, everyone followed along.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Mayor worriedly asked, pushing Dr. Finklestein who was also waiting for an answer. Wolfman wondered as well.
“No...” Jack said in a low voice as he walked off.
Lock took a couple of steps before he stopped. Waiting till they were out of site, he headed back where Jackie was. She was sitting in the middle of the broken circle, messing with her staff, eyeing the trees from time to time.
“Jackie?” He asked softly.
She turned around to see him. He looked almost ashamed of something. “Lock? What’s wrong?”
He slowly walked up and sat next her. “What the hell just happened back there?”
Raising her eyebrow and pointing there the Valentine Tree was. “ The Heart Tree was destroyed.”
“No no.” He shook his head. “Back at the Tree House.”
“Ohh.” She cooed . “It looked like you two were about to.” She put both of her index fingers and touched them together.
Lock looked down. “What the hell came over me?” Putting a hand to his face.
“Well, it’s kinda natural for someone who likes someone to da that.” She shrugged, then leaned forward. “And,” She paused for a moment. “She was letting you.” Giving him a wink.
He looked up at her with a surprised look. “She was letting me?”
“Do you like her?” pulling the corner of her lips to form a smirk.
He didn’t know what to say. He knew that Jackie and Barrel had been watching them. No longer can he hide anymore. “So what it’s not like she wants me anyway.” He turned sharply away, blushing madly.
“Just like Shock, if only HE knew.” Giving off a familiar look.
At the same time, Shock and Barrel were having the same conversation when they noticed Lock wasn’t behind them.
“So what would happened if it really did happen?” Barrel question.
“I don’t know. He probably did it to mess with me anyway.” The look of hurt was in her eyes. Barrel desperately wanted to tell her that Lock had feelings for her too. But, Jackie told him to let them find out themselves.
“Don’t worry Shock.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “Lock may be an asshole. But I’m sure he’ll never hurt you like that.” He smiled. It was a rare occasion for her to open up to him. Usually he’d get a smack in the face.”
“Thank’s Barrel.” She smiled
“No problem!” He said and he ran off to catch up with the others.
Shock paused for a moment and let out a sigh. “But he already has.....” She said to herself before she rant to catch up as well.
Lock smiled as he slowly got up and turned to face Jackie. “I’ll tell her when the time’s right.” Letting the advice she gave him seep in.
Jackie smiled also. “That’s good, she needs to know someday.”
Nodding his head, “Well I’m gonna head back. You sure you’re alright out here by yourself?” He asked with concern.
She simply nodded her head. “I’ll be fine, I’d rather have my life taken than seeing you guys getting hurt.” Letting out a warm smile.
“Alright. Well see ya Jackie.” He walked off.
“Bye.” She waved, then continued on with her duties.
It was dark before everyone returned home. The Tree House became silent due to the recent event. Barrel was watching t.v liking away at his lollipop. Lock was fixing the bathroom door he’d broken down, and Shock had locked herself in her room since they got back.
“So what now?” Barrel finally spoke breaking the silence that surrounded the house for a while.
“What do you mean what now?” Hammering at the wall.
“You figured it out yet?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it.” Drifting off finishing the last of the repairs. “Alright I’m crashing for the night. I’ll pick this stuff up tomorrow.” He said with an almost depressing voice.
“Alright.” Barrel looked over the back of the couch as he watched Lock slowly walking into his room. “Seriously, why can’t they see it?” He sighed as he turned channels, finding nothing to watch.
Lock laid on his bed, looking up at the ceiling for a while thinking to himself. He totally lost control today, he almost kissed Shock for crying out loud. He regretted it at first, but when he heard Jackie tell him that ‘she was letting him’, he regretted not making the move fast enough. He turned his head to where his mask hung. It had a small slash mark from when Jack was fighting them over on Mayor’s roof. Those were some fun times they had, and that fact that Jack didn’t punish them for what they did was a big mystery to him. He smiled for a moment, than sat up and opened up a small box that was on a end table next to his bed. He pulled out three photos and looked at them carefully. One photo was of him, Shock, and Barrel at a Halloween festival that was held at the Pumpkin Patch five years ago. Shock was smiling at the camera holding a small pumpkin. Barrel was at the corner of the photo, almost looked like he came the last moment, and Lock was grinning laying his elbows on their shoulders. Another one was a photo of him and his buddies Corp, also known as the Corpse kid, Mummy boy, Winged Demon, and a Vampire. He flipped to the last photo and paused. This photo was taken when Shock and Lock were fifteen. It was taken at the Christmas Party Jack had held that year. Shock had jokingly wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled, while he smiled as well and gave the ‘peace’ sign to the camera. Lock leaned on his bed board and examined the photo, putting the other ones aside. The memory of that kiss came back to him, oh how we wanted to do it again. But he was chicken. He had a crush on her ever since that incident, but he was to scared to admit it. I mean, they always fight. Usually when he tries to get close to her she’d either smacked him or kick him where it hurts. So, attempting to get rid of these feeling, he started going out with some vampire girls. It worked at first until he dated his recent ex Rosetta, his second girlfriend. After they broke up, he realized that Shock gave him the feelings that his two ex’s never gave him. But still, he was too afraid to tell her, but one things for sure, he’s not going to try to get rid of them anymore.
“Why am I doing this to myself? Why can’t I tell her?” He sighed, laying on his bed again, the photo still in his hand.
“The worst she’ll say is no, but hey, At least you know she knows.” Jackie’s words played in his head. “Be lucky Lock. I’ve never had anyone have feelings for me.”
The conversation between them continued to play in his head. The funny feeling from two years ago came back, and he was accepting it this time. He looked up at the ceiling and let out a smile and sighed.
“I’m in love.” He said as he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Not knowing that Barrel had heard everything. He had put his ear to the door if Lock’s room because he heard him talking from the couch. “I knew it.” He laughed to himself and quickly ran to his room.
