Choosing a New Holiday
Chapter 6
Hi there! It’s me, Jack!
I thought it best if I narrated this part of the story. You see, while Emma was only interested in choosing a holiday world to visit, I went back to the centre of my town to greet my people, especially Sally.
“Oh, Jack.” She began. “You’ve returned sooner than I hoped.” She threw her arms round me.
“Sally,” I hugged her back. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“It’s only been nine days.” She said. “I thought you’d be gone far longer.”
“Well,” I let go of her. “You see, there was no danger. And no trouble. And we found a boy called Sarmoo. He’s one of the Children of Light.”
“You mean, one of Emma’s friends?” Said Sally.
“Yes.”
“Why did you call them the ‘Children of Light’?”
“It’s just what Anastasia called them in my dream.”
“Jack, it was just a dream.”
“No.” I said. “It was real. It was a sign. Anastasia told me what she learned from the spirit that possessed her.” I tried to convince her.
“I guess I’ll just have to believe you.” Sally sighed. “Anyway, what brings you back to Halloween Town so soon?”
“Emma and I are going to search another holiday world for the rest of the children.”
“Already?”
“Emma doesn’t want to waste any time. She thinks it best if we find the children as soon as possible. And just this once, I agree with her.”
“But which holiday world are you going to search in? You’ve never been anywhere else!”
“Emma’s choosing whichever holiday world she feels is the safest right now.”
Sally looked unsure.
“I don’t know, Jack. What if you become obsessed with this new holiday, just like you did with Christmas?”
“Oh, Sally. I’ve learnt my lesson, you know that. Besides, Emma can’t go searching in a new world all by herself. I have to go with her.”
“And what about Benjamin and Benny Bear? Where are they?” Asked Sally.
“They’re still in Christmas Town. Benny Bear and the elves are looking after Benjamin. Benny Bear can look after himself.”
“Jack, are you sure Benjamin will be alright in Christmas Town with out you or Emma? You know he gets himself into trouble by accident an awful lot.”
“Emma and I trust the elves. And Charlie’s mum’s going to offer a place for Benjamin to play and stay.”
Sally looked a little puzzled. “Charlie?”
“Oh, Charlie’s a young elf who found Sarmoo’s heart.”
“Jack, are you sure Benjamin will be alright? He’s special to me in a way. I am the one who found his heart.”
“Benjamin will be fine. Besides, I’ve told Sarmoo that he can come here for help if there’s any trouble. That’s alright, isn’t it?”
“Of course, Jack. We’ll do anything we can to help.” Happily Sally obliged.
“Hey guys!” Emma called from across the town square at the guillotine gate.
“Emma!” Sally called as we both turned round to Emma’s calls. “It’s so nice to see you again.”
“Hey, Sally. How’s it hanging?”
“How’s it hanging?” Sally looked a little confused. “Well, I’m alright if that’s what you mean.”
“Good to hear it.” Said Emma.
“So, Emma, have you chosen which holiday world we’re going to next?” I asked.
“Yeah, the door shaped like an Easter egg.” She said.
“An ‘Easter egg’?” I puzzled. “I know what an egg is. But what’s an ‘Easter egg’?”
“An Easter egg is an egg you get at Easter. Duh!” Emma acted as if I was a dummy.
I just folded my arms and frowned at her, raising on eyebrow, (well, if I had eyebrows).
“Oh.” Emma looked like she finally realized something. “The only two holidays you know are Halloween and Christmas. Ok, well let me explain. Easter is another holiday that has two stories about it. The first is about a man called Jesus who died then came back to life, that’s the history behind it. But the modern story to it about this Easter bunny who gives eggs to children on Easter. They’re usually made of chocolate.”
“So it’s like Christmas? Giving presents to children?”
“Not exactly. See, Easter isn’t just one day. It’s a holiday celebrated over a week. It starts on the second Monday of April, then there’s ‘Good Friday’, then theirs Easter Sunday. It’s really this religious part that makes it what it is. That’s why you’re supposed to share eggs. Eggs are a symbol of life and being born. Thus, Jesus was born again, he came back to life after dieing. But, I’m no Christian, so I’m no Easter expert.”
“So, why this holiday?” I asked.
“Easter is probably the calmest and maybe the safest holiday. I don’t think there’ll be anything like dead scare people walking all over the place. And I don’t think it’ll be cold and covered in ankle deep snow.”
“Tossing aside your comment about Halloween Town,” I began. “What do you think this Easter Town will be like?”
“I have no idea. It just sounds the least chaotic.” Emma explained.
“So, when are you two planning to leave?” Said Sally.
“Right away!” Said Emma.
“Hold on, Emma.” I said. “Perhaps we ought to get prepared first.”
“Prepared? For what reason? We need to go as soon as possible.”
“Are you sure you have everything you need?” Said Sally.
“All we need we have. What more do we need to going to the Easter Town, find whoever of my friends is there and bring them back with us?”
“Emma, what if there’s danger?”
“Hey! Don’t forget my special ability can be pretty dangerous too. If anyone threatens my or my friends, or you Jack, then they’ll get deafened.”
“Hmm…” I wasn’t sure.
“Besides, Easter is a solemn holiday in some parts and full of joy and happiness towards the end. Anyone who celebrates it properly are bound to be religious, you know, people who are over happy and over kind. That’s my best guess anyway.”
“You really thing we should set off right away?”
“Listen, if my friends are in danger in that holiday world, then the quicker we go, the quicker we can save them. Right?”
“I guess.”
“Then let’s go!”
“Hold on then, Emma. You go ahead while I say goodbye to Sally. But don’t go into the holiday world without me.”
“Alright, but I won’t wait long.”
Emma raced off back through guillotine gate and hurried off to the woods where stood the ring of seven trees marked with the holiday worlds.
