Boys and girls of every age, wouldn’t you like to see something strange…
Yata, yata, yata…
This Halloween thing was kinda getting on my nerves by now. No one would shut up about it!
Oh, well. You can’t win ‘em all, (and I can’t win any)! Besides, Benjamin and Annie wouldn’t stop talking about it either. “Oh, Emma! Look at this were doing for Halloween” She’d say. And Benjamin. “Emma, Benny Bear’s dressing up for Halloween!” and “Why don’t you?”
Well, if they couldn’t talk to me about Halloween, then at least they could talk to someone else. The King of Halloween! Jack Skellington. Wow (!). But that’s exactly what they did. I’m supposed to be their leader and their looking up to another leader. What kinds reputation does that give me?
Anyway, back to Annie and Benjamin. Oh yeah! Jack hadn’t seen their new clothes yet. Oh man, did this get Benjamin jumping for joy all over the place.
He came racing down the ramp in the Doctor’s place. Jack was waiting for both Benjamin and Annie at the bottom.
‘Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack!!! Wook at me!’ He shouted as he ran down the ramp.
But Benjamin hadn’t tied his shoelaces, (well, he can’t tie laces anyway).
‘Jack, Jack…oof!’ He tripped up, who would have guessed (!).
Benjamin went from running to rolling in a matter of a second.
Benjamin glowed with his invincible power taking affect as he stumbled all the way to the bottom. Lucky that he was invincible.
Benjamin landed upside-down on his back at the bottom of the ramp.
Jack leaned over and looked down at him.
‘Hi, Jack!’ Said Benjamin.
‘Come on, little fella.’ Jack picked Benjamin up from the floor and put him on his feet.
‘Wow! You look fantastic!’ Jack saw Benjamin’s neat little suit.
‘Sally and Emma made it fit me. It was too big and I was too wittle. Annie designed the spider on the back.’ Benjamin explained.
Jack simply smiled.
‘But where IS Anastasia?’ He questioned.
And then, outside Sally’s old room, Jack saw Annie standing just outside.
And unlike Benjamin, Anastasia gracefully walked down, step by step. Holding the front of her dress from trailing under her feet, Anastasia slowly made her way down to Jack.
Anastasia was dressed in a black dress, the same one the first picked out. Except this time, it had a long trailing base that was longer at the back, and shorter at the front. At the front, it looked ripped and torn, a nice effect.
Annie also had white face make up and had a cat-like mask painted round her eyes. To make her costume complete, she also wore a black chain necklace with a spider pendent on the front.
Annie came forward to meet Jack.
‘Greetings, your majesty.’ Annie curtsied.
‘Annie…You look amazing.’ Jack admired.
‘Thank you, your majesty.’
‘“Jack”. Don’t make me have to tell you again.’
Annie simply smiled and gave a slight giggle.
‘Wait a minute.’ Jack realized something. ‘Where’s Benny Bear?’
‘Under here.’ Muttered a voice from somewhere on Benjamin.
At first, Jack seemed puzzled.
‘Here I am!’ Benny Bear suddenly burst out from under Benjamin’s hat and tried to surprise Jack.
Benny Bear had a cape around his neck and plastic fangs attached to his sewn on mouth. I guess he was supposed to be a vampire.
‘Nice try.’ Said Jack, as Benny Bear failed to scare him.
‘Oh. Oh well, I tried.’ Benny Bear hopped down from Benjamin’s head and went to retrieve the hat.
‘Well then, are we ready?’ Jack asked.
‘Certainly, Jack. Aren’t we Benjamin?’
‘Yeah, yeah, yeah!’ Benjamin jumped up and down excitably.
Jack opened the front door.
As quick as a flash, Benjamin dashed straight outside.
‘Hang on, Benjamin. Wait for me!’
Annie walked out a little bit more gracefully.
‘Thank you, Jack.’ She said as she proceeded out of the door.
As soon as Annie caught up with Benjamin, she noticed that he seemed mesmerized by something.
‘Benjamin, whatever is the matter?’ Annie questioned him. But then, Annie saw what Benjamin was so fascinated about.
They both gazed at the town of Halloween.
It was dark, but lit by glowing orange lights from Jack-O‘-Lanterns that had been placed all over the place. There were People dressed in their scariest roaming the square. There were stalls all over the town. There was a sign above the town hall. It said “Horror Show, 10:00”. Annie knew that must be her special dragon’s time to shine and scare.
‘Chor!!!’ Benjamin yelled.
‘This is such a amazing world.’ Annie gasped.
‘You haven’t seen anything yet, we have allsorts planned for this year’s Halloween, thanks to you.’ Jack walked ahead of Annie and Benjamin.
‘Come on, you don’t want to miss this for the world.’ Jack opened the gate to the town square and led Anastasia and Benjamin into this year’s Halloween.
So, off they went. I saw them as I was hanging around the town. But I didn’t say anything. This Halloween thing didn’t concern me.
Annie went with Jack and took her to the town hall to make sure that the living art was ready.
But as for Benjamin, now this was a laugh. Sally took him trick-or-treating, (oh, boy).
She stood with him and Benny Bear at the side of the street.
‘Now, Benjamin, this is easy. All you have to do is knock on the door and say “trick-or-treat”.’ Sally explained.
‘Twick-or-tweat.’
‘No. Trick-or-treat.’ Sally corrected.
Benjamin pause in confusion.
‘Twick, twick.’ Benjamin came out with.
‘I’ll help him out, Sally.’ Said Benny Bear.
‘Ok. Just remember, Benjamin. Trick-or-treat.’
Benjamin walked across the street. He looked back at Sally, unsure if he was doing something wrong.
‘Go on.’ Sally encouraged him.
Benjamin marched to the door of a neighbour’s house.
He looked at the knocker on the door just above him.
He stood on his tip toes and tried to reach it.
But it was no use. So he just knocked with his fist instead.
Benjamin placed the side of his head on the door to listen for someone coming. And then he heard something.
‘Dis is it, Benny Bear.’ He said to the bear under his hat.
The door opened and a rather fat lady with holes in her body came to the door. It was Corpse Lady.
‘Err…err…’ Benjamin had suddenly forgotten what he was supposed to say.
‘Err…Happy Birthday!’
(Oops)
Sally burst out laughing from the other side of the street.
Corpse Lady also started calking.
Benny Bear came out from under Benjamin’s hat.
‘No, no, no! Use your head, boy!’ He shook his head.
‘Urh? Use my head? To do what?’ Benjamin was confused by Benny Bear’s metaphor.
‘Trick-or-treat! It’s trick-or-treat!’
‘Oh, err…Twick-or-tweat.’
‘No, no, no!’
Benjamin was highly confused.
‘Oh, let’s just get this over with.’ Benny Bear.
So, the Corpse Lady handed Benjamin a hand full of sweets which he put into his pumpkin trick-or-treat bag.
‘Thank you, nice lady.’ Said Benjamin.
He then rushed off back to Sally.
‘Sally! Sally! Look what the lady gave me!’ Benjamin showed Sally the contents of his trick-or-treat bag . ‘Sweeties!’
‘That’s right! That’s the treat in trick-or-treating.’ Sally ruffed up the hair on Benjamin’s head.
‘But I didn’t know you got sweeties!’
‘Didn’t you listen to me or Jack? I told you that before. Quite a few times before, actually.’
‘Well, this little dope can’t even remember to tie his shoes.’ Said Benny Bear as he pointed to Benjamin’s loose shoelace.
‘But I can’t tie my shoes anyway.’
‘Oh,’ Sally sighed. ‘Here, let me tie them.’ Sally offered.
Sally picked Benjamin up and sat him on the wall. She then tied his shoelaces for him.
Meanwhile, in the town hall, Jack was preparing for something. But it wasn’t Annie’s dragon.
I was also in the town hall and I was watching what Jack was doing.
‘A dance?’ I began. ‘Puh. Your just trying to make me jealous again.’
‘Oh, Emma, please try to lighten up. Perhaps in your world Halloween isn’t so special, but over here it’s the greatest event of the year!’
‘Actually, in my world we do make a big fuss of Halloween. But that’s not what I’ve come here for. I haven’t come here to indulge in some big party. I didn’t even want come here at all. But now me and my friends are stuck here and all I want to do is get us home.’
‘But Emma, don’t you like being here?’
‘Well, I do. But I can’t waste time with Halloween. I’ve got to try to get home. That’s all I want.’
‘But Halloween isn’t a waste of time. Oh, if only you’d give it a chance you’d regret what you’ve just said.’
‘Sorry, Jack. I don’t meant to offend you or anyone else in this town. It’s just as I’ve explained.’
‘Oh, alright then. Though you may regret this one day.’
Annie then came over to me and Jack.
‘Did you say you were going to dance, Jack?’ She asked.
‘That’s right.’
‘When I met Emma, her dancing was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Perhaps you two could help each other. That might help you, Jack. And Emma will get involved with Halloween.’
‘I think I’ll pass.’ I sighed.
‘I’ve never met anyone like you, Emma. There’s only one other person I know who doesn’t like Halloween and that’s Sandy Claws.’
‘So, Jack. How do you dance in this town?’ Annie asked.
‘When I dance, it’s going to be frighten and dangerous.’ Jack began explaining.
‘“Dangerous”, Jack?’
‘Yes, I am going to dance with fire.’
‘Oh, Jack. That’s just like the Chinese! Oh, this will be a performance I shall not miss. Oh, how exciting.’
I just listened to Annie rabbit on about Jack and his fire dance.
Annie use to think my dancing was unique and she use to love to see me perform. Now I’d been our danced by a skeleton.
Maybe this town was more trouble than it was worth?
No. I can’t think that for a second. Jack’s helped us so much. And Sally, and the Mayor, and the Doctor, in fact everyone has helped keep me, Annie and Benjamin safe.
I owe this town so much.
So, even though I stood by and watched them all go ahead with their silly little Halloween, I suppose I was happy to be there.
I watched Jack get dressed up for the start of the night’s many events to come.
Meanwhile, Benjamin was back from his trick-or-treating. The only problem was that he said it wrong at every door with his twick and tweat. But that’s Benjamin for you.
Escorted by Sally, Benjamin came back into the town square munching on all the candy he’d gathered from the neighbours.
He stopped walking when he saw everyone wandering about the town in their scariest.
‘Don’t worry, Benjamin.’ Said Sally. ‘If anyone scares you, just scare them straight back.’
‘I’m not scared, Sally. Everyone looks so funny.’ He ran into the centre of the square where stood the fountain.
‘Ooh.’ Benjamin gazed, fascinated by the sight.
But then, someone tapped him on his shoulder.
Benjamin turned round.
‘Raaarhh!’ Clown roared in his face as and attempt to scare him.
‘Your breath smells like mouldy sweeties.’ Benjamin said as he had no response to the scare attempt.
‘Hey, you’re pretty brave for a four-year-old.’ Said Clown.
But then, Benny Bear leaped out from under Benjamin’s hat.
‘Aaargh!’ Yelled Benny Bear.
‘AAHH!!!’ Screamed Clown.
Benny Bear clung onto Clown’s face, and then fell off and took his face with him.
‘Oof.’ Benny Bear landed.
‘Ouch!’ Benjamin felt his pain.
Benny Bear got to his feet and looked at the Clown’s torn away face.
‘AH! Err, here.’ He said passing it back to Clown.
Clown placed his face back on.
‘Hey Benny Bear, you scared someone! You did it.’
‘Yeah, I guess I did. And you though you could scare Benjamin.’ Benny Bear said to Clown.
‘Oh yeah?’ Came a voice from behind them both.
It was Harlequin.
‘Just let me try.’
Harlequin hid his face. Then he rolled his eyes, hiding his pupils. He then turned round to Benjamin. Harlequin screamed and waved the tentacles on top of his head.
‘Hee, hee, hee.’ Benjamin giggled.
‘You find that funny!?’ Clown puzzled.
Harlequin stopped screaming and rolled his eyes back.
‘Hmm.’ He pondered.
Meanwhile, in the town hall, Jack was ready to start the night with his fiery performance.
‘You look superb, Jack! I can’t wait until you start.’ Annie was so excited.
‘Don’t burn yourself, will ya?’ I said.
‘It’s I’m possible not to, Emma. But there’s no need to worry about me. I’m already undead, fire can’t hurt me and never has done.’
‘I can’t get burnt. Metal armour.’ I hit the top of my stainless steal skull.
‘Well, it’s almost time. Everyone should be waiting.’ Said Jack.
But then there was a knock on the door.
‘Jack!’ Called the Mayor from the other side of the door.
Jack answered.
‘What is it, Mayor.’
‘It’s Benjamin.’
‘Oh, no. Is he alright?’
‘I’m not sure? It isn’t normal for someone to be able to do this.’
‘Why? What’s going on?’
‘No one can scare him!’
Jack looked out across the town square.
He saw Benjamin sat on the fountain with a crowd round him.
Everyone was taking it in turns to attempt to scare Benjamin.
Jack did remember that Benjamin showed no fear when he was in Oogie’s lair. Maybe this situation was similar.
‘No worries, Mayor. Well deal with this later. Get everyone clear of the square, it’s almost time.’
‘Oh, right away, Jack.’
Jack closed the door behind the Mayor.
‘What’s up, Jack?’ I asked.
‘It seems that no one can scare Benjamin.’ Jack replied.
‘Well, Benjamin is one odd little boy. He’s never really had a sense of danger. Maybe that’s the reason. He’s never been scared in his life. He doesn’t know how to feel scared.’
Jack thought about what he had just been told.
‘Hmm, I think it have an idea. An idea for a competition!’
‘A competition, Jack.’ Said Annie as she was intrigued.
‘Yes, a competition for the town. Where…’
But then, there was another knock on the door.
‘Jack, the town is ready!’ The Mayor called.
‘Here we go.’ Jack placed a Jack-O‘-Lantern over his head and opened the main doors.
There were smoke fumes that seeped into the room as soon as the door opened.
I could here cheering coming from the town.
They loved their king so much. Too bad Annie and Benjamin never appreciated what I’ve done for them. They’re so interested in what Jack’s gonna do next. Jack may be Halloween Town’s leader, but I’m the leader of nine children. And trust me, looking after them all is no easy task. And now they’re scattered, and it’s up to me to find them all again.
All Jack does is show off in front of his town and they love him for it.
‘Alright, that does it!’ I yelled.
I opened the water proof panel on the back of my neck. I took out my battery and put myself onto emergency power.
‘Here Annie, do you think you can look after this?’ I passed the battery to Annie.
‘Your power cell? But Emma, why are you…’
‘If that thing catches fire, it will blow up. A part from that, I’m fire proof.’
‘Emma, are you going to dance after all?’ Annie said eagerly.
‘Not exactly. Now get out there before you miss the show.’ I hurried Annie out of the back door.
I picked up one of the props used to spin fire.
I’d used similar stuff before. How much harder could it be on fire? I knew what I was doing. I was getting my respect back!
Outside, the crowd were watching and waiting. Annie joined them as sat herself on the edge of the fountain next Benjamin. All was quiet apart from the murmuring of the crowd, and then suddenly.
#Poof!#
Fire shot up from the smoke and a dark figure was just visible though the fumes.
‘Just in time for the kick off.’ Said Benjamin, unaware that that’s what you’re supposed to say at a soccer match.
The figure soon emerged as he leaped out from the fire with fire in the palm of his hands.
The town gasped.
‘Chor!’ Benjamin cried.
The dark figure was the revealed to be Jack, as the Pumpkin King.
The fire in his hands raged, and then, he threw the fire into the crowd.
Everyone, (but Benjamin), all flinched and gasped. Even Annie was scared. And then, as she opened her eyes again, she saw a burning face in front of her.
‘AAH!’ She shrieked as Jack scared her face to face.
Benjamin laughed as he thought that that was funny.
Jack back flipped away from the crowd and continued to dance.
But just as Jack was about to start the main part of his routine, another figure leaped out from the smokey fumes.
‘Emma?’ Annie though that it must be me. And it was.
I leaped out with a metal devil-stick in each hand. Though they were not on fire, my hand were, (my gloves anyway). I then dropped the devil-sticks when I landed.
Though I couldn’t see Jack’s face for the fire on the carved pumpkin, I knew that he would be surprised to see me.
‘Just think of this as a little fun!’ I called out.
I held up my hands as the fire burned my gloved to ashes, revealing my metal hands.
I held my hands over the two devil-sticks. I used the electronic powers in me to static them off the ground and into my grip like a magnet.
The electricity shot to the ends of the metal sticks and sparks flew as the electricity ignited the ethanol soaked fabric at the ends.
Jack sensed I knew what I was doing, he also sensed the fun.
He took hold of the ignited metal fire staff that rested on the floor, (it was gonna be another part of his routine).
I stared though the flames and I could just see Jack’s face. He was leering. (I guess he was sensing the competition too).
‘Alright. Let’s dance!’ He cried.
We both circled round the area, keeping opposite each other. The crown started shouting. They were cheering their Pumpkin King. That only made me start first!
I spun both devil-sticks, one in each hand. I threw one of them spinning in the air. I spun the other one round me all the way and then I flipped. I landed as I caught the other falling stick and held them behind me in my crouched position.
The crowd clapped. An applause? From Halloween Town? For me?
Now it was Jack’s turn.
He spun the staff in front of him and turned until his back was facing me. Then he leaped backwards, spun and leaped over the staff several times until he landed right in front of me.
I knew that was also a slight attempt to scare me. It sort of, I must admit, I was a little intimidated.
But now it was my turn.
I threw one devil-stick up in the air. And when it came back down, I used the other one to spin it vertically while in midair. Trust me, this is really tricky, but if you can do it, it pays off ‘cause it looks REAL cool! (Though I’d never done it with fire before).
I ended it by throwing it back up into the air, and I simply turned round and caught it behind me.
Ok, now it was Jack’s turn.
Jack leaped in the air, spun the staff in midair and then disappeared into the smoke.
At first, I didn’t know what was going on.
I wandered towards the smoke fumes.
But then suddenly, Jack leaped out at me! This time he came so close to my face I thought I was going to set on fire myself! And this time, Jack really did scare me, so much as I dropped both devil-sticks.
When I snapped out of my shock, I saw Jack with the devil-sticks. He was using the staff to juggle both sticks at the same time.
I felt like I was beaten. AGAIN. But I at least wasn’t going to be beaten that easily!
I ran towards Jack, I intended to get back the devil-sticks.
But Jack threw one up in the air. I guess he wanted me to catch it ‘cause it didn’t look like he was going to.
I leaped in the air as high as I could so I could catch the devil-stick before it started to come back down.
Yes! I nailed it!
Jack then threw the other one to me.
I threw the other one back.
Soon both devil-sticks were spinning backwards and forwards. The distance getting shorter and shorter. Until I ended up with both of the devil-sticks.
Jack then held the staff up high.
I jumped in the air then jumped again as I sprung off the staff and launched myself into the air.
I rolled as I headed for the crowd. I landed on top of the fountain, and Jack followed close behind me as he leaped in the fountain.
I then jumped off and back over the crowd. I landed perfect. And then, Jack (no loner on fire since the water put it out), leaped out of the fountain and landed right in front of me.
That was it.
I did it.
WE did it.
The crowd cheered. Not just for their Pumpkin King, but for me as well.
I then saw Annie and Benjamin cheering for me.
‘Chor!’ Benjamin cried. ‘That were mint!’
Annie clapped along with Sally.
‘Bravo, Jack!’ The Mayor came up to us both. ‘You never told me you were planning that!’
‘I didn’t think I was.’ Jack replied. ‘Hey Emma, you were amazing. Where did you learn to do that?’
‘A…Alex taught me.’ I gasped. I was starting to lose my balance.
‘Emma? Are you alright?’ Jack asked, concerned.
‘I’ll be fine. Annie, I need it back now!’ I called out.
Annie rushed to me and quickly passed me my battery pack.
I once again removed the panel at the back of my neck and reinserted my battery. I then closed the panel securely.
‘Oh, man.’ I sighed. ‘That’s better.’
‘Emma, your hand is dimly glowing.’ Annie pointed out.
‘I’ll be ok, just don’t touch me for a while. My metal skin will hot enough to burn through your hand.’ I explained.
‘And you clothes are slightly burned…’ Annie added.
‘I’ll live! Alright?’
Annie just smiled back at me.
‘I knew you’d do something for our Halloween. Even if you just joined in. But I never expected THAT!’ Said Jack.
‘Hey, well at least you weren’t such a killjoy as I thought.’
Jack frowned at me with a slight smile when I said that.
‘And at least Annie and Benjamin appreciate this Halloween stuff. Eh, what the heck, I’ll give Halloween a go.’
‘That’s more like it!’ Jack exclaimed with joy.
‘Jack,’ The Mayor interrupted. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but your performance left only one person without fear.’
‘Let me guess. Benjamin?’ Jack knew.
‘Exactly. Oh, perhaps there’s something wrong with him?’ The Mayor panicked.
‘Mayor, relax.’ Said Jack.
‘Yeah. Benjamin’s just being himself.’ I added.
‘But we can use this opportunity to our advantage.’
At first I didn’t know what Jack was talking about, until he explained to the Mayor his idea.
‘There’s going to be a competition. Tell the town there’s an prize for the first one to scare Benjamin.’
‘A scaring competition? What an excellent idea! I tell the town right away!’ The Mayor ran to the microphone on his car an began to make the announcement.
So, first there was an unexpected ‘happy birthday’ from Benjamin (well, I would have expected it). Then a fiery dance off between me and Jack. And now a scaring competition! Though I doubted anyone would scare Benjamin.
I asked Jack what would happen if no one could scare Benjamin. He simple said that he would show the town how it was done. But I doubted that even Jack could scare Benjamin. You can’t scare someone who has no sense of danger, that’s what fear is all about. “You’ll see”, that’s all Jack would tell me.
Benjamin complained to Sally that he was out of “sweeties” as he calls them. So, while the citizens of the town each decided how they would scare Benjamin, Sally took him trick-or-treating again.
But Benny Bear became a little worried when Benjamin started behaving a little more hyper than usual.
‘Sweets! Sweets! Sweets!’ He cried as he leaped for joy, almost spilling his candy out of his bag.
‘Calm down, Benjamin!’ Benny Bear was helpless to stop him. ‘Oh Sally, I’m beginning to think that all that sugar had gone to his head.’
Sally watched Benjamin as he hopped, skipped and jumped off back to the town square.
‘Well, that’s the last time he’s going trick-or-treating tonight.’ She said.
Benjamin ran to the Mayor.
‘Hi, Mr Mayor! Is everyone going to twy to scare me?’ He said.
‘Of course. Right this way, little one.’ The Mayor led Benjamin to a line of people who were waiting to try their scariest on Benjamin.
Benjamin sat himself on the edge of the fountain and continued munching on his candy again.
Mr Hyde was first.
You know he has two more little Mr Hydes under his hat right? Well, when he lifted of the first hat there was someone underneath, and the second hat was the same, but the third Mr Hyde was missing.
‘Huh?’ Benjamin puzzled.
But then, the third Mr Hyde was seen when he dropped down from Benjamin’s hat and pulled a face, trying to scare him.
‘Hee, hee, hee…’ Benjamin giggled.
‘Aahh!’ Benny Bear then appeared from under Benjamin’s hat as he pushed the hat off his head from underneath. But he accidentally sent the third Mr Hyde flying with it.
‘Oh, dear. Err, sorry!’ Benny Bear apologized.
The third Mr Hyde landed inside the upside-down hat.
‘Oh, well. I’m out of ideas.’ Said Mr Hyde as he picked up the third little him and helped him back under his hat.
So, Mr Hyde couldn’t scare Benjamin. But could Wolfman?
It was Wolfman’s turn next. And his approach was simple.
He roared his loudest and scariest roar, right in Benjamin’s face.
At first Benjamin just scared gormlessly. But then, he took out a lollypop from his trick-or-treat bag. He then placed it in Wolfman’s roaring mouth.
Wolfman stopped roaring and took the lollypop out of his mouth. He looked very confused. But he then threw the lollypop down angrily that he’d failed in scaring Benjamin.
Benjamin laughed again. It seemed he found the town’s scariest funny.
As more and more people failed to scare him, everyone was getting frustrated. It appeared that Benjamin was a four-year-old with out fear.
But there was one person who everyone knew wouldn’t fail. The great Jack Skellington.
With more and more people giving up the scare competition, it seemed that Jack would have to show them all how it was done.
Clown had given up, so had Wolfman, and Harlequin, and Behemoth, and the Witches, Mr Hyde, Devil, the Hanging Tree, Cyclops, all four of the Vampires had also given up, and even corpse kind and Witherwing had given it a go, but they had failed too. In fact, by nine forty-five, everyone had given up. I guess it was now Jack’s turn, (this was gonna be good).
So, this was it. Everyone was crowded round, watching as Jack came onto the scene.
‘I don’t think you’re gonna do it.’ I denied that Jack could scare this fearless kid.
‘Oh, you’ll see.’
Jack approached the munching Benjamin. Benjamin was blissfully unaware that he was about to be terrified for the first time in his life.
I was doubt full that Jack could do it. But if he did, then it’s might give Benjamin a sense of danger he never had.
Jack crouched down to Benjamin’s head height.
Benjamin looked up and smiled.
This was it.
Jack hid his face…and then when he turned back round…Jack pulled the most monstrous, disturbing, haunting, terrifying face I’d ever seen. He scared me and he wasn’t even trying to. He even scared everyone else crowed round.
The look in Benjamin’s face was priceless. He looked like he was frozen. Well, well. It seemed Jack actually did it.
Benjamin’s face started to change. He looked sad.
And then he burst into tears.
Jack felt a little guilty. He’s never had to scare someone so young before and never made anyone cry.
‘Oh, come here, little fella.’ He picked Benjamin up.
Benjamin continued to cry.
‘Come on, your braver then this. You out-braved everyone in the town.’
Benjamin started to stop his sobbing.
‘Yeah.’ I added. ‘Benjamin. The four-year-old without fear.’ I gave him I title. ‘You even laughed when you were supposed to scream.’
‘Yes. Just like this.’ Jack started tickling Benjamin in the ribs. Benjamin’s crying changed to a giggle in no time.
With Benjamin cheered up again cheered up again and laughing with happiness, Jack put him back down on his feet. (well, actually he laughed because Jack tickled him).
‘I’m a four-year-old without fear, me!’ He cried with joy.
I hugged him as he laughed with delight.
But then, there was suddenly a shocking loud noise coming from behind up
‘RRRRAAAAAAHHHHH!’ It roared.
The doors of the town hall were shaking. There was black smoke seeping out from under the doors.
There was also an orange flickering light coming from inside the hall.
Everyone looked so terrified. No one knew what was going on, (well, I did). I seemed like there was a monster inside the hall, banging on the doors trying to get out.
‘RRRAAAAHHHH!’ It roared again.
#Bang#
#Bang#
#Bang#
#CRASH!#
The doors of the town hall crashed open and smoke soared out into the town.
We could all here the pounding of giant footsteps whatever what there was coming forward and emerging from the fumes.
And then, the great monster was revealed.
A black skeleton dragon with red glowing eyes glared at the citizens of Halloween Town.
Everyone gasped and some even screamed.
The dragon came further out of the smoke as the full extent of its gigantic size was revealed. And something else was revealed with it.
On the back of the dragon, clinging onto one to the joints of the spine was Anastasia Rose.
She smiled and laughed and waved to the people watching.
‘Wow!’ Jack gasped.
‘Wait a go, Annie!’ I cried out.
Annie climbed down the tail of the dragon and then jumped the shortest distance to the ground.
And then, the dragon ran for the crowd.
Running and running, as if it was going to run straight into them. But then, the skeleton dragon spread it’s massive wings and took of the ground just as it was about to crash into the crowd.
The dragon rose up and soared over the town. It flew higher and higher and then breathed fire!
But the fire didn’t disappear to smoke, it faded into bats instead! Hundreds and thousands of bats emerged from the fire and flew out into the night sky.
The dragon then flew back down to the ground and landed next to Annie and her friends.
Annie giggled as she patted the shout of the dragon. The dragon gently growled, as if to be happy to be comforted by it’s master.
‘Everyone,’ Annie called out. ‘I’d like to introduce you to Moonlight.’ Annie introduced her newest living art. He newest friend.
‘Moonlight the dragon!’ Benjamin cried.
Jack approached the black bony dragon.
He held out his hand towards it.
The dragon then turned his head and stared at him with his red eyes. And then his eye’s turned to white and Moonlight became calm.
‘He’s amazing.’ Said Jack as he patted Moonlight on his nose.
The citizens soon crowded round and they all admired Moonlight the dragon.
‘How long will he last?’ Asked Jack.
‘A few days. He’s the biggest and most detailed drawing I have ever drew. Thought I could dismiss him earlier if I wanted to.’ Annie explained.
Sally came forward with Benjamin.
‘No need to be afwaid, Sally. Just scare him straight back.’ Said Benjamin, copying the advice Sally gave him earlier.
‘Oh, Sally. Isn’t he amazing?’ Said Jack as he took hold of Sally’s hand.
‘He’s beautiful.’ She sighed.
She then gazed towards her love.
‘You’ve really made this year Halloween special, Jack. I know Annie, Benjamin and Emma helped you. But without you, Halloween would never be the same.’ Said Sally. ‘Thank you, Jack.’
‘No, thank you, Sally. Without you as the love of my life I wouldn’t have the happiness in my heart that keeps me going, year after year.’ Jack made a heart-warming speech for his dear Sally. ‘You’ve done so much for me, Sally. There is something I would like to do for you.’
Jack took Sally by the hand and led her out of the crowd. Everyone watched and wandered what was about to happen.
And then, Jack knelt down on one knee and presented a little box in front of Sally.
‘Sally,’ He said as he opened the box… ‘Will you marry me?’
Everyone gasped in amazement.
Inside the box was a ring. Designed like a spider with a glimmering diamond on the abdomen.
Sally had her hands to her mouth, she was so stunned. She was stating to cry.
‘Oh, Jack.’ She gasped. ‘Of course I’ll marry you.’
Sally threw her arms around her new fiancé and cried with joy.
Jack and Sally embraced each other and the town all cheered.
I saw Annie starting to cry herself. It was her who suggested for Jack to do something for Sally. But not even she guessed the Jack would propose to her.
Jack and Sally let go for a moment and they kissed.
Annie wiped the tears from her eyes.
‘I’ve never been so happy.’ She sighed and sobbed.
She gazed blissfully as the crowd cheered for Jack and Sally’s engagement.
The happiness among them all was over whelming and it wasn’t just Annie who was crying. The witched were crying and so was the Mayor.
Annie smiled as she gazed at the happiness all around her…
#Bark, Bark!#
There came a noise behind her that suddenly distracted her from the moment of joy.
‘Zero?’ She questioned herself.
Annie wandered away from the commotion and tried to find where Zero’s barking was coming from.
She stared through the cemetery gates.
‘Zero?’ She said again.
Annie opened the gate and wandered into the cemetery.
Calling Zero’s name as she went, she searched around for anything unusual that Zero could be barking at. And then, she saw one of the tombs. It had been forced open.
#Bark!#
Zero suddenly flew out and soared towards Annie.
‘There you are.’
‘Bark, bark, bark!’ Zero looked like something was wrong. He flew back over to the open tomb and barked when he got there.
Annie knew Zero couldn’t have opened the tomb by himself. But Annie was brave.
She walked over to the tomb doors. They were cracked and the stone was in pieces.
Zero flew in.
Annie followed after him.
She gazed around at the spider webs as she wandered further into the tomb. And then…she suddenly saw something…
Back in the town square, Jack and Sally had departed from their moment of stunning joy and were with the Mayor as Jack was trying to sort out a date for the wedding.
‘You know, Jack, that the hall is free anytime that suits you.’ The Mayor began.
‘I know, but we need the perfect day and the perfect time. How about on November the seventh? One week from now.’ Said Jack.
The Mayor looked through his schedule book.
‘Everything’s free on the seventh! I’ll book the hall straight away…’
‘EMMA!’ Annie cried.
Annie ran back from the cemetery with Zero following.
‘Annie?’ I saw that Annie was crying.
Annie ran straight to me and threw her arms around me as she cried.
‘Annie, what’s wrong? What happened?’ I embraced her as she cried.
‘I found someone.’ She sobbed.
‘Who? Who?’
‘Nadallia!’
Upon hearing that name, I was suddenly shocked.
I gently pushed Annie off me from her hugging.
‘Where? Were is she?’
Annie just stared at me in her sobbing.
I stood up.
‘Jack, tell everyone to be on the alert! Nadallia is in Halloween Town. She’s the one who destroyed the IDCG! She nearly killed us all! She’s the one who turned evil!’
‘Right! Everyone in the Hall!’ Jack called out. ‘Lock the front doors!’
‘No!’ Annie cried. ‘You don’t understand!’
‘Why? What’s wrong?’
Annie stared fearfully.
‘Because she’s…she’s…’
Annie led me and Jack to the tomb where Annie saw Nadallia last. She was still there, alright…
Nadallia was the one of us who changed. He behaviour changed drastically in just a week and she developed a split personality. She tried to kill us all and during the process, she destroyed the place that was keeping us from being scattered to the Holiday Worlds.
But even though she turned this bad, she was still one of the ten children separated from Earth. So, it was a massive shock when me and Jack didn’t find her alive…
That’s right.
We found Nadallia Chime dead. She’d been separated from her heart and her heart was no where to be found.
Her injuries looked pretty shocking too. It was as if something had attacked her.
We need all ten of us children to open the gateway home.
But one child was already lost.
So, a shocking end to Halloween, and a shocking end to the first part to the story.
Yes, that’s right. This is the end. But only for a while. Part two will becoming soon, so don’t worry.
Until then, thanks for reading. See ya next time…
[Coming soon… Part Two: “Once Upon A Nightmare”]
