Chapter I

No copyright intended. I do not own The Nightmare Before Christmas. I only own my creations.

Chelsea's long black hair blew in the autumn wind; she sat on the dry grass and stared at the white clouds above her, trying to ignore the eerie song drifting in the back of her mind.

May your heart always believe, in the magic of Hallows Eve…

Chelsea shook her head, begging the eerie voices to leave her alone. Ever since childhood she had heard the sickly sweet song in the back of her mind each time she was alone. "Leave me alone…" Chelsea whispered. Suddenly, a shiver went up her spine; Chelsea spun around to face the woods behind her house. She could feel eyes watching her from within, but her weak, mortal eyes could see nothing.

But her sixth sense was not so naïve. It knew someone, or something, was watching her. "I know you're there!" Chelsea screamed, not caring who heard. Chelsea groaned. "I'm going mad." She pulled her long black hair in frustration and closed her pale, eerie blue eyes.

"Chelsea you out here?" Chelsea heard her best friend, Quinn, calling her from the street. She knew she couldn't hide from him, so she sat up, praying that not too much grass was stuck in her hair. "Hey, what's with all the screaming?" Quinn said with a chuckle and walked over, helping her up. Chelsea stood up too quickly, accidentally landing with her hands on Quinn's shoulders and his arms around her waist.

"Sorry." She muttered and looked away, a blush creeping it's way up her pale cheeks. Her skin was almost translucent, and Quinn laughed, gently brushing a lock of Chelsea's hair behind her ear.

"No problem." He said, pulling away. "So, guess what I have for…" Quinn reached behind her back and pulled out a brightly wrapped present, "the birthday girl!" Chelsea's eyes fluttered in surprise as she gasped.

"Quinn Alexander Daniels, you know my birthday isn't for two weeks!" She scolded, but took the present anyway.

"I know, but I couldn't wait!" Chelsea shook her head and wrapped her arms around her best friend's shoulders.

"Ta." *

"Just open it mushy." Chelsea giggled as she ripped open the gift, gasping at the CD inside.

"Oh my god! You got it? I haven't even gotten the first copy yet!" Chelsea said, staring at her face on the cover of the CD.

"I know. I called Jimmy and asked him to ship to me for your birthday. He was as high as a kite and told Greta to mail it. I got it this morning, but I couldn't wait." Chelsea sighed happily and hugged him, feeling his hot breathe on the back of her throat.

"You are the best friend ever." She whispered, kissing his cheek boldly. Quinn smiled shyly, playing up the moment. Chelsea playfully slapped his arm and he chuckled darkly.

"Look at the card." Chelsea looked under the CD and found a purple envelope. She quickly tore it open, smiled at the bright card inside.

Happy 17th Birthday!

Inside Chelsea found the sweetest poem she had ever read:

Through diapers and braces,

We've seen each other through

You're the best friend I could ask for

So I'm writing this to you

Dreamers

Best frienders

Part-time jobers

Full-time jokers

Eyes bluer than the sky

I want her by my side

Sweeter than any chocolate

Brighter than the stars above

The most beautiful girl in my world

She's so easy to love

So happy birthday Chelsea

And promise me this,

You'll never forget…

Our very first kiss

"First kiss…?" Before Chelsea could finish the sentence, Quinn lifted her chin slowly with his fingertips and kissed her gently. His lips were soft and warm against hers; suddenly Chelsea's world seemed to slow down. All that she could see was Quinn's perfect face, all that held her there were his arms around her and his lips on hers. The kiss ended sadly, but was soon followed by a sweeter, more passionate embrace.

When they stood together, softly breathing, Chelsea looked into his eyes. "I'll never forget that.""Promise?" Quinn whispered, looking down at her with his deep brown eyes. Chelsea kissed him again, lingering close to him.

"Never." She whispered with a smile on her blushing cheeks.

"Good." Quinn said, holding her tightly in his arms.

"And you call me mushy…" Chelsea whispered with a sweet, sarcastic tone. Quinn chuckled in her ear, kissing her gently on the cheek.

"Happy birthday Chelsea." Quinn whispered and Chelsea laid her head on his shoulder. They fit to together perfectly, like they were meant to hold each other this way. But suddenly in the back of her mind, Chelsea heard the hauntingly beautiful song again. Except this time, it was stronger. And it sounded like it was coming from somewhere. Somewhere like the woods. "Do you hear that?" Quinn whispered, looking toward the dreary forest.

'So I'm not crazy after all…' Chelsea felt, a moment of relief flowing through her. It was then replaced by dread as Quinn dragged her softly toward the gray trees. They seems to beckon her, but she tried to fight the urge to run into the trees.

May you always known where you heart leads, Always sure of what you seek…

Chelsea heard the song growing stronger and stronger, the pull of the forest growing harder and harder to resist. Suddenly, Chelsea was leading Quinn through the trees. One hand held her CD and precious card, the other held Quinn's warm hand. "This reminds me of something…" Quinn muttered, as if under the song's spell as well.

Ahead of them, Chelsea could see a strange line of trees. Seven trees stood facing each other, each marked with a strange…door. Each tree struck something in her, but as she face the last her heart nearly stopped. A strange jack-o-latern stared at her, calling out to her in a strange voice. She reached for the handle, the nose that stuck out, as if just begging her to pull it.

As Chelsea turned the strange knob, she suddenly feared what she would find. But as she looked in, she saw nothing but darkness. Slightly relieved, but mostly disappointed, Chelsea looked back at Quinn. "There's nothing." Quinn frowned and looked down.

"I wonder why they're here…?" Quinn muttered. But before he could say another word, a cold gust of wind shot of the hollow tree. Chelsea shrieked as the autumn leaves swirled around her, pulling her and Quinn into the tree. Then, there was nothing but darkness in Chelsea's mind.

Part II

Chelsea opened her eyes and looked around. The ground was solid and firm under her, but more importantly, it hurt like a bitch! The fall had been broken by the soft leaves, but it didn't mean it hadn't hurt. Quinn lay beside her, moaning. Chelsea slid over beside him, looking down at his now bruised face. His left eyes was covered by a fat, already blue bruise, and his lip was cut open.

"Quinn? Are you alright?" Chelsea whispered in his ear, praying to god he was okay.

"Long…fall…" Quinn muttered. And suddenly, it hit Chelsea. She hadn't just fallen on the leaves, she had fallen on her soft boyfriend!

"Oh my gosh, Quinn I'm so sorry I landed on you. Is anything broken?" Chelsea asked, guilt already setting a bad taste in her mouth. Quinn shook his head and winced.

"Don't be…sorry. I'm just…stiff."

"Oh Quinn…" Chelsea said, longing to kiss him, but fearful of hurting him. Instead, she carefully kissed his forehead. Quinn smiled and kissed her lips, not knowing his own lip was gently bleeding. "Ow." Quinn said, slowly pulling back and looking into her eyes. Despite his obvious pain, Chelsea giggled at his goofy smile. Quinn looked around with his eyes, learning not to move his neck. "Where are we?" Chelsea looked around as well. They sat in a pumpkin patch, and overhead loomed the large, white moon. It seemed as if everything there was watching the two, learning their every move.

"I'm not sure, but I don't feel safe here…"

"I know what you mean." Chelsea gasped and turned at the musical voice. Behind her was an enchantingly beautiful woman with a ghostly body. Her eyes were blank white slates, but she smiled at the sound of Chelsea turned. "Do not fear me."

"Who are you?" Chelsea asked, swallowing her fear. The woman smiled at her words and drifted toward the couple. Chelsea protectively hovered over Quinn and stared at the spirit.

"I feel your fear, and I can sense you are hiding it," She smiled again, sending shivers down Chelsea's back, "I will not hurt you. This is Halloweentown. Welcome back." Suddenly, the woman disappeared in the blink of an eye, not a trace of her left besides the sick feeling in Chelsea's stomach at her words.

"What did she mean, welcome back?" Quinn muttered before falling into a pain induced slumber. Chelsea wondered the same thing as she dragged him over to the rickety gate beside the graveyard overlooking the pumpkin patch. She was just settling down beside Quinn's warm body, when she heard a sorrowful voice singing.

A:N/ Ok, end of chapter one. For anyone who read the original Voices on the Wind, I have absolutely no idea what was going on, but it did not show any of my stories on the website. So revised and reposted, I hope you enjoy the story!

-Lila 10:21 AM