Cold, dark house, I hear a scream! Before I could react, something grab my foot and pull me down. The house caught on fire! I look up and there she was! Long orange hair, cute yellow dress, white sockings and black mary-jane shoes. The last outfit I ever saw her in.
"Lala, don't leave me here! I'm scare!" She stare with dead eyes!
"Melody, I'll get you out of here!" But the rope that tied my legs together started to pull me away! My eyes heavily water.
"Save me, Lala!" Suddenly, she changed to another child.
"Save me, Sis!" My eyes widen.
"Lola, get away from here!" She stare, melting into a skeleton! I screamed, as the rope pulled me into the light!
I felt my heart rip out of my chest, as I stood up! I scream again, my head felt so much pain! I then cough a little and led out a big sneeze! I use my right arm to clean my nose. When I opened my eyes, I notice my arm had a red sleeve. I looked down and I found myself on an old log frame bed with green mattress and sheets. I pull over the blanket and I was wearing a red night gown with white neck collar and chest buttons. My legs and feet were bare and patches of white bandages were all over! Just touching my toes gave me a whirl of pain!
I placed the blanket over my body and turned my head around. I was in a small cottage. A few doors, bookshelfs and a single fireplace, where the only light source was coming from. I stared at dead space, slowly breathing. I thought I died, falling down that cliff. Has some elf founded me? But, who would have a home in the middle of nowhere? I wonder where this elf is? At least I'm safe and away from him. I cross my arms. I'm a fool, not seeing through his disguise! Even that gloomy elf saw through him! Was he pretending to play nice, as a excuse to ruin Christmas again! Berr! First there's a world where Santa, elves and Christmas magic is real, so is a supernatural world of creeps and weirdos?! Oh, why did I let Lola agreed to go on this stupid trip! It only brings bad memeries and life threats! I shivered, only to sneeze again.
My head hurted again! That when I felt bandage warp around my forehead and my nose! My elf nose is gone! I check my ears! No elf ears either! No, my savior knows I'm a human! I sigh. Maybe I shouldn't worry about that. But, Lola! She's alone! What if she caused problems for that kook or get her self in serious troubles! Then, I remembered that dream! No, I got to protect her. I won't let it happen again! I got to inform the savior elf to take me back quickly! Maybe he's one of the rooms! I pulled the blanket back, my arms felt wobbly, and founded red slippers under the bed. Placed them on my feet, which stings a little. But, when I tried to stand, I felt pain and wobbling! I threw a few pillows on the ground, and fell down on them. I can't walk! This is humiliating! Now I have to explain myself! At least no rope is pulling me! My head flinch again!
Looking up near the fireplace, was a rocking chair, with an orange glow was resting on. Then, it flew up and started to float to me! At first I thought it was a magical floating ornament. Only for it to take shape! I scream a little, then cough!
"Ghost dog! Ahh!" I stood on my butt and uses a pillow as a shield. I closed my eyes and shivered! That dog weep and lick my cheek. I slowly look at him. He smiled and happyily pant, like a young puppy. I lower the pillow. "You don't seem to be dangerous. Perhaps, more cute." He closed his eyes and bark. "Maybe you were the elf's old dog but somehow now a spirit? I don't know." I pet him on the head.
"I bet your master is a good elf. I'm sorry for falling off that cliff! I thought I saw the ghost of my old friend, only to be lower to a trap! Is she angry at me for abandoning her?! And now Lola could face the some fate!" I grabbed the dog and squeeze him like a sad child holding a Teddy bear! "I WANNA GO HOME! MELODY, I'M SORRY!" I bowl my eyes out like a baby. What am I doing?! I calm down. The dog shined his light at my nose.
"Oh, your nose is like Rudolph! Except orange!" I took a closer look. "It's also look like a jack-o'-lantern! Wait! Where did I see this glow before?! (gasp) The glow in his hat, the sound of barks, the hat flying!" I felt an ominous shadow in my heart. I threw the dog backward and crawl to the center of the fireplace. A door opened, but all I could see is that dog's confuse face.
"No, you're master isn't an elf!" I heard footsteps. "I got to find help!" I try standing again and began to run for my life! Only to scream in pain and began to fall, only for someone to caught me! I gulp and turn around! I scream again, coughed, escape from his grip, picked up a pillow and try to beat him with it!
"No, I thought I lost you! Help, Mr. Elf! Evil creature is attacking me!" I fell on a pile of pillows. Before I could even move an inch, he got down on his knees and place a finger on my lip.
"My dear, you took a heavy fall. I suggest you rest your muscles or you'll never recover!"
"Get your slimy bony finger off my lip! You are an intruder and the owner of this house is going to kick you out!" He shook his head.
"This cottage has no owner. It is meant for those who lost their way and need a place to recover. Who do you think who founded you buried in the snow, bandaged you and kept you warm?!" He sounded very strict!
"You touch my body! You creep!" I tried to pick up another pillow but he grabbed my arm.
"Like I said, You better rest your body or you'll never recover!" I roughly pulled my arms away.
"You had been a naughty girl, disobeying orders and trying to attack me! Now you got us stuck here from from home and you can't even walk without experiencing pain!"
"And should you care?! You lied to me! Were you only playing as Jack Frost just to win me over to destroy Christmas again?!"
"I have no such plan to do so! And my dear, there's no such thing as summer elves!"
"I was told to play as an elf citizen because that old kook told me so!"
"Regardless, I knew you and your sisters are humans. And Sandy knows who I really am and allow me to stay as long as I don't caused trouble."
"I knew he was hiding something from me! And you did got us in trouble! You didn't want me to see your Holiday tree! You didn't want me to find your Halloween world!" He gave me a mean glare.
"You are judging a book by it's pages! Halloween is not all bad! If I was 'so called evil' wouldn't I let you to be frozen in ice or frighten billions of elves into an early grave?! I thought we had a good relationship!"
"That was before I discover you as a creepy tall skeleton!" I shivered
"Perhaps we should start new and true. Yes, I'm not Jack Frost. I'm Jack Skellington. I am the ruler of my world but, I'm not all what they say in that book you read. Can we be friends again?"
"I'm sorry, I just can't trust you yet." I cross my arms. I sneeze and flinch in pain.
He pick me up. "Hey, I said I don't trust you!" He placed me back on the bed. Placing pillows behind my head.
"Well, You're going to! You are too weak to move on your own! Even if fully recover, it's a dangerous road up ahead! If we are going to make it back to Christmas Town, I going to have to assist you! Nursing you back to health and guiding you on the right path!"
"I don't need any help!" He glare at me again! I gulp!
"This cottage has many supplies to use. Even an indoor garden where food never runs out. But, would you like to spend the rest of your life alone or take your chance on me! Think of what your sister would do if you never came back?!" No, dang it, he's right!
"Fine, but the less help the better!"
"It's sad to see the once pleasant lady turn cold hearted!" Let the awkwardness begin.
I sneeze violently, then to find him next to me with a bowl of hot soup.
"What's that made of, pig gut and slugs?!"
"It's medicine soup made with herbs from the cottage's garden. It'll help clear your nasty cold!"
"I guess I can believe you made it right! Let me have it!" I grabbed the bowl and the spoon from him.
"My dear, you don't have the strength to hold the soup!"
"Yeah, watch me!" I dip the spoon and try to feed myself. Only for my arms and handsto give in and spilled in on the blanket! It burn a little! I could hear him groan, He replaced the blanket and quickly made another one.
"I not letting a skeleton feed me like a baby." Suddenly, he led out a scary face, as I scream. He force the spoon full of soup in my mouth!
"Works every time!" He removed the spoon.
"I think I like you better as a snowman!"
"Would you like me to scare you again?!"
"Fine, feed me!" How embarrassing!
Sometime later, I try to get up, only to fall again. Instead, I crawl to the door near the fireplace, only for him to stop me.
"Going somewhere?!" He had his hands on his hips.
"Nothing of your assistant! I'm just going to use the bathroom!" He opened the door. Then to carry me.
"Crawling won't bring your recovery faster!"
"Have you ever heard of privacy, creepo?!"
"I'm just going to place you here and come get you when you are finish!" He placed me on the toilet. He closed the door and waited by the fire place. Only moments later, I yelled. He opened the door and founded me collapse on the sink. He slap his head and his dog whine.
"What are you going to do with that injection?!" I used a pillow in defense
"This medicine will help slowly recover your muscle and erase your pain!" I threw a pillow at him, pushing him back!
"Do I trust a shot that a skeleton brew up is going to heal me?! I ain't going to take any needle from, OW!!!" I stared at my arm. He stab me with one bony hand and the other hand ketp my sleeve rolled up. He attached his hands, as I rubbed my arm.
"Stupid, skeleton trick!"
"Attaching and detaching skeleton's parts can come in handy. Now, lets do this tomorrow!" How many days do I have to put up with this?!
Resting on the bed, feeling bore, I saw that orange light. The ghost dog had a green book in his mouth. I sigh.
"I guess reading a good book can make me less stress for a while." I took it from him. Hmm, The Magical Christmas Tree? Sounds childish but, I'll take it as long as I don't have to think of any trouble pass or creepy skeletons. The dog rested on the bed's top frame and used his nose light.
"Using your light as a reading lamp? Pretty clever, I guess. Thanks." He barked. At least his dog isn't scary.
A few hours later, that skeleton stood in front of me. I lower my book.
"Is it another soup time, I'm about to go to bed soon."
"My dear, there's one last thing to do in order for you to recover."
"Please, not another injection!" I notice he got a green towl over his left arm. Oh no.
"If you're wanting me to take a bath, forget it! Not in this freezing heck weather!" I went back to reading, He lower my book.
"The water store here is filled with a secret hot spring. Resting your weary body can help your body stay warm through the coldish of weather, heal harsh wounds and clear your mind!"
"You're a living dead skeleton! You have no meat on your bones. You call yourself an expert of the living?!"
"A whole lot more than you do!" I felt a shiver up my spine.
"Whatever! I'm more of a shower person and I'm not letting you touch me!" I read again and he took the book away. He sigh.
"Please don't be difficult! I'm your nurse so, I know what's best!"
"Well, I'm no patient of yours! I'm not moving and you can't make me." He stared with half closed eyes, as if to say 'I don't have time for this!'
"Hey!" He quickly strip me and warp me in a towl. And then began to carry me to the bathroom!
"Creepo, creepo, creepo!" I pound his chest!
"Please forgive me for my rudeness but, you are not acting your age!"
"Well, respect a lady better!" He placed me the tub and wow, this water is great! Like a trip to Palm Springs! I threw away my fighting and let the water soak in me. I sigh. I wish I was home.
"Finally you seem relax. I'll leave you alone for around ten minutes, then I'll change your bandages and dress you in another night gown." I didn't care what he said, I just wanted to clear my stress. He sigh and close the door.
And so, I dealt with this routine for the next few days. Don't even bother fighting againist him. But maybe perhaps he's isn't all scary. Was his personality as Jack Frost is real? I still can't forgive him for once ruining Christmas! With my muscle recovering, I sat on the rocking chair in a white night gown, next to the window. The ghost dog weep and rested on my lap. I stroke his ears and stared at the night sky and the falling snow. I'll get out of this mess and get back to Lola. With tears shed from my eyes, I sigh. Lola, I hope you'll never end up like Melody.
