Okay, you are probably wondering 'what the hell'? And to be honest, I'd agree with you. I always wondered what it would be like if the trio got separated in some way. Not that I have any hate against Barrel, on the contrary, he's my 2nd favourite character. I do not own nightmare before Christmas and luckily Barrel doesn't die in that. Please review, I'm exceedingly desperate.

The plan

The three trick-or-treaters giggled with glee. They were hidden away from sight, near the town hall, behind a large boulder with mould growing all over it. Or it might have been a tree stump. They all looked the same in Halloween town. And this one smelled of fungus. The three didn't really like fungus. If it wasn't candy, snake or spiders, then they generally didn't put it in their mouths. Apart from Barrel, who still hadn't learnt that fungus gave him tummy ache. Lock and Shock DID know this however, and took every opportunity to slip it into his food. But not today. Even though it was always funny. They had a big prank planned.

It involved the wolf man. He was up on the town hall's roof, fixing a busted loudspeaker. On the ground, there was a pile of the old speakers, trashed and in a heap. It looked quite sharp. It was also smoking; which was never a good sign. The mayor and wolf man's best friend the devil were also there, guiding wolf man, saying rather unhelpful things such as 'Left a bit.' 'Be careful' and the amazing advice of 'Don't fall'. Jack Skellington was sitting with Sally by the fountain. They were dating now. Eugh. It made the pranksters sick thinking about it. Jack was occasionally watching the town hall's preparations with mild polite interest. The three pranksters had to stifle their giggles. It was funny watching their struggles. The mayor's face was twisting from sad to happy so much it looked like it was permanently spinning. And the wolf man was carrying the heavy loudspeakers so they obscured his entire torso and face. No wonder they were shouting such obvious things. "Okay dorks, let's go over the plan one last time." instructed Shock. Lock glared at the insult, but said nothing. Barrel just smiled. "We climb up onto the roof…"

"How?" asked Barrel. Shock glowered at him.

"We use the ladder, stupid." Replied Lock smugly, pointing at the rusty ladder fixed onto the town hall's roof. There were several bars missing in it, and looked like it wouldn't support all three of them, even though they were all tiny. Barrel pretended not to notice this. He clutched his lollipop for support. His lollipop understood his struggles.

"And then, we hide behind the other loudspeakers Wolfie HASN'T moved…"

"What if he picks them up?" asked Lock with a taunting expression.

"Well we'll hide behind the ones he HASN'T moved yet…How many times do I have to repeat things?" she snapped, hitting him with her broomstick. Lock slapped her back. Barrel swept in before they started to bicker again.

"So what happens then?" he prompted. Shock stared superiorly at him for asking such a question.

"Then, when he DOES go to pick the speaker up, we STRIKE" she answered, making a swiping movement with her fist. The three laughed.

"And he'll probably land on the Mayor's car or something. After he stops screaming in terror." cackled Shock.

The three grinned. Lock got out his famous plunger, running his hand along it as if was deadly as a gun. In the hands of this trio, any object was deadly. They put on their masks. "Ready?" asked Lock. The other two nodded.

"Let's go!" he laughed, darting off with a mixture of running, crouching and crawling. They hid behind the town hall, peeping out to check no-one saw them. It didn't look like anyone had. Now came the hard part. Getting up the ladder without anyone seeing. It was at the side of the building, and was more than obvious- it was in full view of the town centre. The three looked at each other half nervous, half excited to death. Well, if they weren't already. Wolf man dropped one the speakers on his foot, much to the amusement of devil. Jack smirked slightly. The trio heard a cry of "My speakers!" from the mayor, and they took their opportunity. Lock went first, agilely sweeping onto the ladder and moving up. Shock went next, clambering up. It wasn't easy for her, since her boots were rather pointy and her hat was rather big- not to mention her nose- but she managed it well. Barrel grasped the bottom rung of the ladder, which immediately broke off. He looked at the splintered bit of metal in his hand, and then felt himself being pulled up. He was scared for a second, and felt himself being hoisted up by his neck. Then he realised his fellows had probably carried him to save time. He was slightly grateful, but his feet had nothing to hold onto other than air, and that wasn't a nice feeling.

The three darted behind the remaining speakers. There were only two left to hide behind, andf they were quite close to wolf man already, but they completely obscured them from sight of onlookers. They heard wolf man's grunts as he hoisted the heavy speaker in place. They shut their lips tightly to avoid laughing and giving them away. A small snicker escaped from Barrel. Lock and Shock hit him with the broomstick and plunger to silence him. Barrel yelped a little. The three heard the wolf man stop. Shock put her hand over her mouth in horror. Lock rolled his eyes and glared. Barrel looked terrified.

The wolf man came over. His feet made a big thudding sound. The sound the monster makes before it mauls you to death. "Who's there?" it snarled. "I know your there."

The three stood paralysed. Wolf man came closer.

"Answer me."

The three didn't make a sound. Then wolf man lifted up one of the speakers. Barrel's mind was confused. Should he scare him? But they had been found. Did that mean he would be surprised? He looked to his fellows for help, but they were staring mournfully at the ground. He decided they probably scare wolfie anyway. That's what they were doing right? Right?

Wolf man's arms lifted up one the speakers. Barrel Jumped.

"Arrfrflrlflrlfrllagagabab!" he cried, jumping out like a kid on a sugar rush. The wolf man dodged. Barrel went on dancing away, jumping excitedly, not aware he was close to the edge. The other two, who stood motionless, waiting for their punishment, stood up.

"Barrel!" cried Lock

"No!" cried Shock

Barrel only just heard their shouts. He turned to face them, smiling, but his foot was already over the edge. There was a moment of realisation when he discovered this, and his face twisted into a mask of surprise.

And then he was gone.