Back in Halloween Town Sally had been working, trying to finish her potion and dreading they might find. Oogie didn’t understand how a potion was going to help anything but as long as he did not have a better plan he didn’t mention that. When finally the potion was ready they all crowded around the cauldron to see if it had worked. Finally the image appeared. Sally took a step back, Oogie raised his eyebrows, and Jack seemed to be thinking because the first thing they had seen was Other.
Sally: What happened to him?
Jack: I’m not sure, but I don’t think that him.
Oogie: What?
Jack: I’m not sure, but look at him.
They all looked. By that time Shock had come into view. She looked at the Other Lock quizzically right before he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Oogie: (looking disturbed) Uhh, I think you may be right about that one.
Sally: I thought they were all related?
Oogie: To be honest I have no idea.
Sally: You’re joking right?
Oogie: (defensive) What?
Jack: (shaking his head) …Uh, whatever, let’s just focus on the task at hand.
They continued to watch as the Beldam appeared.
Oogie: What the heck is that?
Jack: That’s the Beldam, obviously.
Oogie: (to himself) Huh, she’s not that bad looking.
Sally: (disturbed) What?!
Jack: (annoyed) Oogie, shut up so we can hear what’s going on.
Oogie gave Jack a dirty look but did stop talking. They continued to watch almost everything that happened, with only minimal interruptions from Oogie. What they couldn’t see however was what Barrel was doing, and in fact had no idea where he had gone until he showed up near the end of the game.
Though they didn’t fully understand everything that was going on; they soon realized one thing was happening that they had believed to be nearly impossible: they were escaping. They watched as the real Lock was freed from his curious prison and as they all ran for their lives. But it was not until Lock, Shock, and Barrel were near the door that it hit them they were coming back. Sally, Jack, and Oogie all left heading in the direction of the Beldam’s house (Oogie lagged behind, unable to keep up), hoping to meet up with them.
While Shock had gone to free Lock Barrel had managed to unlock the door. The cat had run out as soon as it was opened while Barrel had waited until he had seen the others before exiting.
Lock and Shock ran for it. The Beldam screamed at them as they made it through. Other hesitated a second, unsure about the world outside and Shock grabbed him, pulling him through. The Beldam grabbed the door and it took all the strength they possessed to slam it closed. Shock quickly grabbed the key and locked it to ensure the Beldam couldn’t come out. They could still hear her banging and yelling at them from the other side. They all stared back at the once colorful candy house.
Shock: Come on guys, let’s go.
Lock and Barrel nodded in agreement while Other merely sat down under a tree. Shock walked over to him, curious as to what he was doing.
Shock: What are you...
But she was stopped mid sentence when she realized what was wrong.
Other: (out of breath) Hey, Shock, you know how inside everything started looking old?
Shock took step back and nodded.
Other: Well…when she makes all those things, it’s her energy that keeps it together. She’s running out of energy, which was she was so desperate to get you three. She made me; it’s her strength that keeps me alive.
Shock suddenly understood what he was saying.
Shock: No…you mean…
Other: Yeah…it’s okay though. There are worse ways to die…
Lock and Barrel, who had already started into the forest, turned around wondering what was going on with them.
Barrel: Hey! What’s the holdup? I thought you two were…
That’s when they saw him.
Lock: Whoa…what happened to you?
Other: Don’t worry about it. You guys keep going.
It was at that moment that Jack had arrived to where they were, closely followed by Sally. Oogie had not quite caught up yet. Lock, Shock, Barrel, and Other and turned their heads to see them.
Lock: What the…
Barrel: How did they get here?
Sally: Are you three alright?
Shock: How did you know to show up?
It was then that Oogie finally caught up to the rest of the group.
Oogie: *pant* okay *pant* I made it. *pant*
Jack: You really need to exercise.
Oogie: Shut it, you! Alright then, every one’s okay, now let’s go home.
Shock: We’re not all alright…
It was then that everyone’s attention was brought to Other.
Sally: Oh my god…
Jack: I’ve never seen anything like that before.
Shock: He’s going to die if we don’t do something quick. And if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have escaped.
Sally: (to herself) Maybe...
Jack: What is it?
Sally: The Doctor.
They looked at each other a second and Jack nodded.
Jack: We might be able to help him. You three go on with Oogie, and you, do you think you can walk that far on your own?
Other: I think so.
Jack: Okay then, Sally and I will take…
Other: Other.
Jack: …Other to the Doctor’s, while the rest of you go home.
Barrel: We want to stay with Other.
Shock: Yeah.
The three stared at him with their arms crossed.
Jack: *sigh* Fine, we don’t have time to argue, just start moving.
So they all headed back to Halloween. When Dr. Finkelstein had heard a knock at his door he had at first been annoyed to have been disturbed during an experiment, but upon opening the door he was suddenly surprised and curious. The sight before him was so strange he was inclined to ask many questions but he was not allowed to as there was no time to lose. As soon as he had seen Other and he had been asked to help him; the Doctor had got to work.
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Sorry about the long wait, but here it is! I probably could have written it a lot better, but I was anxious to get it done. Only one more chapter left...
