"Oogie!" Jack called excitedly, hearing the sound of his own voice bounce off the walls in the graveyard. The whole place was silent, which made Jack feel rather daunted.
"Oogie?" he called, wandering into the mist towards where his house should be.
No one was there, not a soul nor a light was on. Jack raised an eye socket.
That evening Jack lay awake in his bed, recollecting the events of his day. Zero was happily sleeping in his basket ahead and Jack smiled wearily, opening his bedroom window.
He looked out over the town and sighed. Where had his play mate disappeared to?
"You let him
go!?" Ozmando bellowed.
"Look. Mr. High and Mighty arrived, what was I supposed to do?" Oogie growled.
Ozmando swooped around. "Rexus was there?"
"Oh, sure. He came lookin' for Jack, what father wouldn't. Oh wait, stupid question,
you wouldn't!"
Ozmando cackled. "Ooo! How I'd love to see the look on his smug little face!"
Oogie sighed and slumped on the iron maiden situated at the back of the room.
Ozmando glanced over at the obese potato sack hunched against the implament of torture. For some reason, he wanted to comfort him at the same time as slap him into shape. Comfort? That was certainly new, so he told himself he would not go soft.
"Listen, kid. I got a plan."
"Here's the truth. I ain't listenin'" Oogie said smoothly.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Oh yeah, you're deaf ain't ya? I AIN'T LISTENIN'!" Oogie shouted.
Ozmando slapped Oogie around the face. "HOW DARE YOU! AFTER ALL I'VE DONE FOR YOU!"
"Oh, sure. Like you've done TONS for me, haven't you? All you care about is revenge."
"Do you even know
why I want retribution on that slime ball?"
"No, you always told me to butt out!"
"Well it's high time I told you ain't it?"
"I dunno, is it?"
"Years before princey was around. There was a woman by the name of Funerelly. She was beautiful, clever and talented. She and I had been friends for years, but she loved King Pompus and he loved her back, but I had loved her longer than he had. Rexus and I became rivals, then one day I kidnapped Funerelly. Stupid move, she hated me and I hated Rexus because he'd won, so I vowed I would end afterlife somehow"
Oogie's eyes widened, but his heart was still cold.
"Thanks for the story Ozzy, but if you wanna get revenge, I'm gonna have to get some sleep, 'kay?"
"Not before I tell you my plan"
"Who needs your plan? I know the kids weakness." "Friendship"
Jack woke up early the next morning and got dressed. Before his parents were up, he sneaked out and into the graveyard.
"Oogie!" he called. "Oogie, are you there?"
"Hey kid" came a cool voice from behind. Jack beamed. "Whoa! Less of the smiling, do you wanna scare me to death?"
"Sorry" Jack apologized.
"Sorry about runnin' of yesterday kid, other matters came up"
"It's okay, want to play?"
"Sure. Shall we play hide and go shriek?"
"I love that game! You first!"
"Okay...1, 2, 3, 4..."
Jack prounced off to hide. This went on for hours whilst at home, Rexus was depressed.
"What is it, dear?" Funerelly asked, noticing how distraut her husband was.
"It seems our Jack does not want to be king, my love"
Funerelly placed a hand on her hip. "Rexus Skellington" she said. "You do realise our son is merely seven years old."
Rexus looked up at her. She was so very beautiful.
"How old were you when you became king?"
"I was eighteen" Rexus said.
"Exactly. Jack has a whole 11 years to go until he's old enough! Let him have some fun whilst he's still got an adventurous spirit"
Rexus half smiled and sat up. "You're right Funerelly. You're always right"
She kissed him on his hard head. "And you're always sweet!"
Rexus laughed just as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get that" he giggled, answering the door. It was The Mayor.
"Why, hello Mayor. What honours this visit?"
"M-May I come in, Rexus?" he asked, all in a frantic voice.
"Of course!" Rexus said, ushering him in and closing the door behind.
"Hello, brother!" Funerelly called, taking off her pinny. "Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Pumpkin Cider?"
Funerelly's expression changed. "What's wrong?" she asked, coming to join him in a seat.
"Well, I was taking my usual walk across the town square when I couldn't help but notice that Jack was...
playing"
"Well, that's nothing barbaric! We know he is" Funerelly said.
"But, with only a few more days left until Halloween. Surely he should be practicing his act!"
"We're giving him the weekend off" Rexus said, joining them.
"He's been working hard"
"Oh, I see...but, have you s-seen his c-choice of play mate?"
"I-" Rexus hesitated. He hadn't actually. "I don't think I have"
Funerelly frowned. The Mayor suddenly went frantic again.
"Oh! Oh dear! Oh no! Oh this is not good!"
"Mayor!" Funerelly shouted above his dittering. "What is it? Did you see who was playing with Jack"
"I-I am afraid I did!"
"Who was it?" Rexus asked, also beginning to feel rather aprehensive.
"Ozmando Boogie" The Mayor stated.
