Sally ran through the woods; dodging trees upsetting fallen leaves. Every so often she glances over her shoulder, laughing, at her husband who chases closely after her; red hair flying like a banner behind her. With one movement he grabbed her and pulled her back; her laughter ringing through his head like music. Looking up, she sobers at the look in his eyes; cheeks flushed as he captures her lips with his; hands gripping his coat.
It's a beautiful crisp fall day, the third day of their honeymoon and they've been out and about since early that morning. Sally was so happy she felt she would burst as she and Jack lose themselves in their love.
It seemed like a distant nightmare, the life she lived almost a year ago. But now everything was perfect, better than she could have ever thought possible as she stood in Jack's arms; knowing that as long as he was there with her nothing could hurt her.
"Oh Sally.'' he sighed happily, hugging her tighter. She smiled into his neck, closing her eyes and reveling in his warmth. "I'm so happy. No words could ever describe how dearly I love you.''
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she held him tighter. "I love you to, Jack.'' She pulled away, smirking up at him as she slowly stepped back. "Bet you can't catch me twice.''
He smiled dangerously at her, eyebrow cocked. "Challenge accepted.''
They lay in bed that night; rain pounding against the window.
Sally nuzzled Jack's still damp shoulder and smiled, entwining her thin fingers with his. "Jack?"
"Hmm?"
She hesitated. "Have you ever....thought about what might have happened if I had been with you instead?"
Jack was silent for a moment. "All the time.''
"And?"
"I wish I had been brave enough to whisk you away sooner.''
Sally felt a small bit of shock.
Jack, the Pumpkin King, not brave enough? To her he was the definition of brave and her knight in shining armor. How could he not think that he wasn't brave? Rolling over she looked down at him, supporting herself on her elbows.
"It's not your fault, Jack. What happened-"
"Don't you
dare say it wasn't my fault and then blame it on yourself.'' he said, sternly.
She was quiet for a moment and he took a lock of her hair, wrapping it around his fingers; his facial expression softening. There were times that he looked into her eyes and saw just how innocent and young she was and there were other times where she seemed the wisest person he could talk to. Leaning up, he tipped her head back; pulling her closer. She met his gaze, her hands resting on his chest as he nuzzled her cheek.
"Fear can be binding, beloved.'' he murmured, lovingly. She scoffed, hands sliding up and cupping the back of his skull.
"Not for everyone. Seems like I'm the only one who gets scared.''
"Not true. I've been scared plenty of times.''
"Name one time.''
He looked down at her, his expression serious.
"I was scared I was going to lose you.''
Without a word she pulled his head down into a deep kiss, trying to transmit all of her feelings and love into one simple movement. Thunder rolled from outside and Sally pulled him on top of her; eager to have him as close as possible.
The next afternoon they pulled into the driveway of their home; reveling in the warm afterglow of the amazing week.
Sally smiled as she saw the towered house, the wrought iron gate. Jack had mentioned that it's cramped, and dark and not much of a living space for two people but Sally disagreed.
She looked down at the diamond ring on her finger and smiled; biting her lip as she glanced at Jack and then back down again. This all seemed like a dream; a fantastic, wonderful dream.
"Hey.'' she looked at him and he smiled. "Welcome home.''
She giggled, smiling back.
I'm home
It seemed different now, in some weird way. They had left unmarried and came back a husband and wife fully invested in their love for each other. She sighed happily as she walked with him up the driveway and through the door.
"You know I was thinking,'' Jack began, setting the bags by the door and crossing his arms, a thoughtful look on his face.
"That maybe it would be better, and this is just a thought mind you, to, i don't know......move elsewhere?"
She looked at him. "Out of Halloween town?"
"Oh, no, no. Merely, just....in a different part of it is all. What do you think of that thought, love?"
She thought for a moment. "Well...I guess that would be nice
as long as it....wasn't far.''
Jack beamed and started off upstairs.
Pulling, biting, scratching, hitting; furious screams echoing in her head as she felt pain all over her body. Blinding blackness pressed against her eyes and she screamed out for Jack, for anyone who would help her out of this misery
a searing pain in her stomach and she put her hands to it, screaming in agony as she felt her own blood spilling from it. her scream grew louder as someones hands pulled her hair and she could hear Jonah's voice screaming down at her
" YOU THINK YOU COULD GET AWAY FROM ME THAT EASILY, DID YOU? YOU CAN'T GET AWAY FROM ME SALLY BECAUSE ONE THING YOU FORGET IS THAT YOU'RE MINE! YOU'RE MINE, SALLY! SALLY!"
"Sally! Sally, baby, wake up!"
Her eyes snapped open, breath shallow and her hair in her face. She's crying and half asleep as she clings to him and it kills him to see the way she's trying to hide against him like a child who's afraid of the dark. He caresses her hair, trying his best to calm her down. "It was another nightmare, wasn't it.''
She nods against his chest, sniffling. "Oh, Jack, it was awful." her voice was rough from sleep. "I was bleeding and screaming-"
"Shh, shh.'' he said softly as he leaned her back into the pillows, kissing away her tears and brushing her hair from her face. "It was only a nightmare. Go back to sleep, ok?"
"Will you stay with me?"
The way she said those words nearly shattered his heart. He kissed her, lying down beside her and drawing her closer to him. "Of course.
Of course I will, my love.''
After a while he heard her breathing deepen and he stared out the window at the shining moon. She'd been having these horrible nightmares a little before they got married; but this time it was a little scarier than the other times. The way she had been thrashing around and pulling at the sheets was more than a little worrying. He knew that she didn't want him to know that she was having them, though.
I was bleeding
He held her tighter; burying his face into her hair and squeezing his eyes shut. He knew perfectly well that it would take lots of love and patience to help Sally re-cooperate from the years she spent with Jonah. And he was more than willing to do just that.
After all, as her husband, it was his duty.
