What it seems like a week in this stuffy old cottage, having that tuxedo creep face treat me, I was able to move on my own again! No more sneezes, feeling cold, wobbly body or bandages! (Except for my forehead, which he suggest to keep on so the medicine inside of it would keep heavy stress from damaging my brain.) I can't believe he'll go out of his way to heal me and successfully too! I guess I can give him some credit. Almost noon, I putted on my elf outfit, which he helped fix up. I stared at the old mirror by the front door.
"It feels so nice to be in outside clothing again and to stand on my own two feet!" I placed a white elf hat on my head to cover the bandage.
"And you wouldn't be able to if wasn't for me." I turned to face him and his dog. He had a big sack in one hand and a roll up mat in the other arm.
"Alright, I guess you've proven your worth. But, I still won't let my guard down to this king of Halloween AND the skeleton who once ruin Christmas!" I pointed at him. He heavily sigh and shook his head. His dog floated up to me and whined.
"I should thank you as well. For a ghost dog, you're a cute little guy." I pat his head, as he smiled at me. I faced the door and turned the knob. Outside was a little cold. Gray clouds covered most of the sky. The ground was as fluffy as an ice cream and pine trees circled around the old log cabin. I took a few step out and my feet sunk a few inches in the snow. I sigh.
Jack stepped out as well, placing down the supplies, his dog floated by.
"The warmness from the hot spring water should keep you warm to last for our travel and the cold vaccine should keep you from having a fever."
"Yes, I'm thankful. I still don't trust you!" I crossed my arms.
"My dear, It's doesn't end yet. We have a long way to go! We made face hazards and challenges on the way! I can survive any situations, but you are too fragile to no defense!" I faced him.
"Must be easy for the undead!" He gave me a firm look.
"I have food, water, first-aid and other necessities to keep you mortal alive! You won't survive without me guiding you! So, you should not be close minded and work with me!"
"Should I?" He went up to me and placed two hands on my shoulders.
"There's no turning back, we're in this trap! Stop denying the fact! No excuses to give, I'm the one you're with! Leave no alternatives!" I stepped backwards.
"Okay, you got me! do you even know how to get back?!" His dog floated up to me and shined his nose.
"Zero's nose can lead the way! He know all around Christmas Town! So, he can follow the smell of the town that'll lead us home! Plus, his nose can also light up any darkness that gets in our way!" He bark.
"No need for a compass when you have a Halloween dog? Sounds odd but, whatever! How long will it be to get home?"
"I don't know. Our goal is to get you home before Christmas Eve night. I'm not familiar with the Christmas Town outlands."
"I got to get home for Christmas! My parents, Kelly and Lola will be worry sick! Is there a faster way other than travel by foot?!"
"I usually use either gravesites or dark portals for traveling from Halloween Town to the human world. I can't use portals to or in other Holiday's realms and no grave to travel either."
"Portals?! A magical skeleton, aren't you?!"
"A few magic tricks I can do. Now, no more explaining things. The more we work together, the faster you'll be home!"
"You expect me to walk in this deep snow all the way there and I ain't letting you carry me!"
"Wining isn't going to help! Wait and watch!"
With a quick speed, he grabbed an axe from the cabin, chopped down a small tree, chopped it to small pieces and crafted it into a small sleigh. Ropes tied it all together.
"A sleigh for a lady to rest in."
"Impressive skills you got. Fine, I'll work with you." He placed the supplies in the back, while I got in. Not the most comfortable, like I have a choice. He tied a rope on Zero's collar, that attached to the sleigh.
"Zero, just like old times!" He bark.
"So, was your dog the one who pulled your evil sleigh when you_"
"Hush, my dear! Not the time for fussing! We must be going and rely on the supplies I prepared for you, as another cottage like this would be unlikely! Zero, ready?! Mush!"
For a little guy, he can move fast and pull some weight. We went at a reasonably pace. His dog up pulling ahead and that skeleton stands near the back. I didn't like being sandwich in the middle of two ghouls. Trees after trees, I felt bored. At least no wildlife are after us.
"If you're bore, I got you a book from the cottage to entertain yourself." He gave one to me.
"Thanks for saving me from tree sighting!" I said sarcastically. Better than nothing. After some time has past, we took a break.
"I'm just going to take care of business over by the tress." He gave me a bucket from the sack.
"Don't go too far or anywhere hazardous! Come back as soon as you are finish!"
"You're not my father but, I get it!" I went on my way.
Shortly after I've finish, I had to wondered. Maybe I can ditch him! If I can run fast enough, he or his dog can't caught me! So, I ran and hid behind a tree. Nowhere in sight, I can be free! I even sneaker. When I turned around, however, he jumped down from a tree branch! I struggled.
"How did you founded me, from your dog's smells?!"
"You can't run away from me, little girl, as long as your heart's beats!" He placed his hand on my heart and show me a small device in the other hand.
"A tracking device!" I gasp.
"Do you think I only injected you with cold medicine?! I knew you'll pull off something like this!"
"Such a dirty trick!"
"Relax, my dear. It'll disappear once we get back. Shall we resume in our travel?" He walked me back to the sleigh. Dang it! At least it was a shot! We dash through the snow, until we came to a halt. A large mountain was in front of us. Jack got off the sleigh, as I followed him.
"This is where you fell and where we founded you." He shown me. I looked up and horrible memories of her outcome made me shivered in fear. "My dear, am I frightening you?" I shook it off.
"No! I'm not afraid of you or your appearance! It's just the cold weather. Now about this stupid mountain! I ain't no climber!"
"I'm not expecting you to be. I'll climb this mountain, Zero will help bring up the sleigh and I'll bring you down a rope to pull you up!"
"Fine, I'll wait here like a 'good' little girl!" He sigh. Up he climbed the mountain flawlessly, like a daddy longlegs on a wall. I admit, it was a bit of a creepy sight. Zero used his body to bring up the sleigh, with Jack helping by using a rope when he reached the top. He then sent me down a rope. I tied it to my torso and he pulled me up, crossing my arms the whole way. He gave me a hand to pull me to the top. I got on my feet and dropped down the rope. "Thanks, I guess."
The sky grew darker and snow began to fall fast.
"Looks like a snowstorm is brewing."
"And we just scaled the mountain! We'll be blown off like paper!"
"No negative thinking! We'll find shelter! Zero, use your nose to find a place for us!" He hunted down, while we followed him. Jack pulled the sleigh, while I trailed behind. At last, a small cave.
"I'm not going in there! It'll be all damp and cold!"
"We have supplies to back up with."
"What about wolves, other dangerous animal and icky winter bugs?!"
"I'll take care of that! You better put these on! Zero, protect her!" He gave me, earmuff? Okay? I putted them on, while Zero guarded me and the sleigh. He walked inside. A minute of silence then, a loud bloodcurdling scream! It would had gave my ears a shiver if it wasn't for the earmuff. Suddenly, a wolf pack, a polar bear and even tiny insects came running out in fright! Once it was over, he came out.
"Okay, it's safe for us to rest tonight! Best to hurry, the storm is about to start! I took off the earmuff. He's so frightening to be around with and yet, he acts like a gentleman. He makes me confuse.
I settled up the mat and sleeping bag, as Jack placed down some chopped woods. With a shot from his hand, he shoot a fire ball to create a camp fire.
"So, it was you who shot a fire spark to the ice sculpture! What can't you do?!"
"I can cast a few elemental spells such as fire and ice. But, I can only use so much. Some magical gals back home supplies me with theses charms. I can't recharge if I'm away from home!"
"Wicked witches, I believe?!"
"Warm yourself near the fire. I'll prepare your dinner." I sat down near it. I starred at the flames. An image of her appeared in the flames, calling my name. My body felt numbed. Then, he called me. I shook it off. I took my plate from him.
"only a few loaf of breads?"
"You must spare on what food supplies we got. If we run out too quickly, we may have to hunt for more food."
"Wolf meat sounds gross! Fine. I'll take what I got!" I nimble on the bread.
"I know we had a rough start but, I hope you'll realize I'm no harm to you. I am the king of my Halloween world, I am not a bad ghoul! I hope we can be friends again like back in Christmas Town. You must be weary, eat and rest up for tomorrow. I'll guard the cave's entrance. Zero will keep you company and give you light when the flames dies out. Good night, my dear. I lower my bread, as he goes by the entrance. Watching the heavy snow fall. Maybe I'm being too harsh on him. maybe he is a good skeleton. I still need time to tell.
The next morning, I peek out of the cave, as the storm blew over. The skeleton wasn't around so, a quick stroll to shake off the tired legs. As I walked, I felt someone following me. I turned and I founded Zero. I sigh.
"No need for protection. I'm just taking a short walk. Thanks for looking out, though." I pat his head. I had to start somewhere. Then, a whisper ran through my years. 'Lala' I heard. I faced ahead. There she was again! Zero grew mean eyes and growl at her.
"Melody! You came back! Why did you tried to hurt me?!"
"Because Lala hurt Melody!" She floated away!
"You know I didn't mean to! Stop running away!" I tried to give chase, Zero gasps and followed me. Suddenly, we founded ourselves what it seems like an old rundown temple. Gray and covered in snow. I was amazed. What's something like this doing in the Christmas Town outlands?! Melody reappeared in front of a big stoned door, with an elf's head craved in the center.
"Melody! Will you please stop and listen?!" I foolishly ran to her. The floor crack and I fell through! Zero gasp and followed me down!
"Lala, bad!" She disappeared.
What it seems to be my doom, a black skinny blur rushed by me and landed first. He caught me in his arms! I looked up!
"You saved my life again! This is the first time I'm happy to see you!"
"Glad to hear it! Please, be more careful!" He placed me on my feet. Zero lighted the dark room. How are we going to get out of this mess?!
