Nervously he shifted in his chair crossing and uncrossing his rather long skinny legs in an attempt to refrain from bouncing his knee. The room was unbearably silent, the only sound to disrupt it was that of a page-turning which only made him more anxious each time he heard it because it meant the end was near. Across from him sat an older gentleman reading intently from a stack of papers in his hand, giving off no expression that could help ease Jonathan's racing heart. What the man held in his hand was a script, a stage show that Jonathan had spent weeks pouring his heart and soul into; yet this man in the span of twenty-minutes was nearly done reading it.

With a long sigh, the man dropped the script down on his desk, taking a long hard look at Jonathan causing him to freeze up in his seat, this was it, the moment of judgment. " " he said in a stern tone causing Jonathan to straighten up in his seat "y..yes, Sir Greeves?" he replied. Greeves placed his hand on top of the script, tapping his finger on the paper with an annoyed look.

"This script…."

"Yes?"

"It's like all the others you have brought to me, isn't it?"

"Well I admit it is similar, but this time I-"

"Mr. Scully! How many times have you shown up at my office?"

"Well, I believe this makes thirteen times this year, Sir."

"Thirteen times…which means thirteen scripts you have brought into my office and thirteen times I have to tell you no."

"No? But sir, if you would just give this a chan-"

"The answer is no! No one wants to be frightened! To be brought to horror and disgust! This may be fine in your own little twisted world, but not in the real world!"

With a frustrated sigh, Greeves pushed the script over to Jonathan standing up "look, boy, while I appreciate your love for the arts I don't think you have a knack for creating it" he said as he walked over to the coat rack grabbing his coat and cane. When he bid him farewell and walked out, Jonathan jumped out of his seat, grabbing his script before rushing out after Greeves. "Please, Sir Greeves reconsider" he pleaded, but Greeves merely held his hand up to silence him getting into his carriage "it's time to accept reality and give up these silly dreams of yours" and with those final words his carriage took off.

Stunned, he stood there for a moment, watching the carriage go down the road clutching the papers to his chest with a trembling hand. Once it disappeared from sight, he hung his head in shame, sticking his script into his coat as he turned away to walk home. "And once again the prodigious world of Jonathan Scully has been laid to ruin by the mundane and austere masses of jolly old England, who refuse to understand it!" he cried. With a drawn-out sigh, he placed the back of his hand on his forehead and arched his back, taking a dramatic pose of distress in the middle of the sidewalk moaning about his misfortune. It took the stares of those around him and low mutterings that questioned his sanity to pull him from his moment, then with a nervous laugh and clearing of his throat, he continued his journey home.

On his way back, he passed by a small medical clinic, and in the window, a figure appeared watching him intently before rushing out to meet him. "Jonathan!" a woman's voice called, when he turned around he was met with a warm smile spread across a tanned face with white patches around the nose, mouth, and green eyes which brightened at the sight of his face. "Oh, Miss Stein," he greeted her with a weak smile taking her hand and bowing his head to kiss it, much to her delight " a pleasure as always to see you." Her smile grew as she held the bottom of her dress doing a small curtsy "the pleasure is always mine, and please do call me Sarah, you have no need to be so formal." He released her hand and nodded with a small grunt, "today was the day, wasn't it? Please don't keep me in suspense any longer and tell me how it went." Her words caused him to clutch his chest where the script rested inside his coat with a pained look chewing his lip as his meeting with Greeves replayed in his head.

"Jonathan?"

"Hm?

"I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"No, no, it's alright. There's nothing wrong with being curious."

"So the meeting.."

"It was another rejection. Heh, guess I should be used to that by now, huh?"

"Jonathan, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, the world just isn't ready for me yet, and that's fine."

He gave her a smile when he noticed her studying his face to reassure her, "I should go now," he bid her farewell and walked away to avoid speaking about the matter any further. She reached out wanting to comfort him 'you don't have to suffer alone' she thought watching him disappear down the road retracting her hand when she was beckoned back inside by her father.

"Sarah? Sarah! Where are you-you indolent girl!?" her father yelled, attempting to move one of the wheels on his wheelchair that had gotten stuck, "here I am," she spoke reluctantly coming to his aid. "Finally! I have been looking for you all day, what in blazes have you been doing?" he growled, she kept a calm composure wheeling him out to the dining room "I only went out to greet Mr. Scully."

"Scully? The farmer's boy? What a waste of time to pay that weird boy any mind," he muttered being brought to the table. She ignored him walking into the kitchen preparing a stew on the stove while he continued his rant "all you do is run off and fool around with that degenerate man when you should be caring for your father, ungrateful girl." With a sigh, she apologized, pouring the soup into a bowl and grabbing a drinking glass from the shelf wiping it clean merely grunting in response.

This was normal for her, to be reminded of what a burden she was and how grateful she would be to her father for tolerating her existence. What more could she expect? She was the child that killed her mother the moment she was born and had the nerve to be born looking the way she did. Her father never forgave her for the burden she placed on his life, and the love took away. So he would spend their lives reminding her how lucky she was to be in care after all she has done to him.

She set the glass down pouring the wine, and once he was distracted, she set the bottle down retrieving a small vial hidden in the back of the covert. The vial was filled with a dark purple liquid, 'just a few drops' she reminded herself dripping the liquid into his wine quickly returning it to its hiding space when her father started tapping the table impatiently. She brought him his food and drink wiping her hands off on her dress after she set them down, "I will try to be more courteous" she smiled pushing the drink towards him "enjoy."

"Back to the boring world of orange" Jonathan groaned walking through a large pumpkin patch "Cipher" he chimed patting his leg and giving a whistle. In the sea of orange popped up a curved white tail followed by a bark, "come here boy" he smiled as a small Jack Russell Terrier ran out from among the pumpkins circling him. He chuckled commanding Cipher to sit kneeling down to scratch his head "I wish I came with good news, but unfortunately that stuffy old loon told me no again." He stood up dusting off the bottoms of his pants walking down the path Cipher following at his heels "this world has become so dull" he muttered picking up a stick and throwing it for Cipher to fetch.

"How is it fine to feel sadness watching a tragedy up on stage, but giving someone a small fright is just too much?!" He groaned in frustration running his fingers through his hair, he placed his other hand on his hip with a soft whine. "All I want is to create a new world on the stage, one full of suspense and excitement! Something that'll make even the stuffy upper-crust tremble in their boots." He held out his arms, spinning around " how fun! How exciting! A fun world with witches and ghouls filling the audience to the brim with fright and spectacular tricks that'll leave their jaws on the floor." He walked with more flare maneuvering around vines as if it was a dance until suddenly stopping letting his arms drop to his sides "sadly, my dreams may never become a reality" he murmured hanging his head walking into his house. "I suppose that is enough dramatics for now," he told himself, "time to get ready for work."

Later that night he walked up to the steps of a large lavished building shielding his eyes from the lit up displays that welcomed people in, he bit his lip watching as high-class patrons walked in laughing and smiling while they caressed their expensive clothes and jewelry. He sucked his teeth in disgust when suddenly he stumbled forward because someone slapped him on the back. "Well if it isn't the king of the pumpkin patch," behind him was a large and stout man in a green suit rolling a pair of dice in his hand. "Oh, hello Ogar" he muttered fixing his vest, with a snicker Ogar grinned "that's Mr. Bernard to you pumpkin king." Jonathan forced a smile onto his face the corners of his mouth twitching "my apologies...Mr. Bernard, I was heading in to begin my shift" he explained brushing past him to head inside.

The inside revealed the building to be a high-end gambling house, their heels clicked against the polished marble floor passing walls adorned with commissioned artworks and marble columns with an old roman inspired style. Glass chandeliers shed light upon rows of roulette wheels and rouge et noir tables for dice and cards; the sounds of dice rolling, cards shuffling, and the hollers of the clientele echoed throughout the lavish decadence of the gambling hall.

Jonathan stopped at an empty table walking behind to the dealer's area to set up, a few months back when his family needed funds Ogar had offered him a job as a dealer after witnessing the card tricks Jonathan practiced for his show. It wasn't hard to tell that the two profoundly disliked one another, but due to his hardship every night without fail, he came into work and endured Ogar's special and unwanted attention. "Shouldn't you be some big playwright by now?" Ogar asked, sitting at his table "in fact, you went to submit a script today, didn't you? Heh, aww what happened?" he teased. Jonathan remained silent, shuffling the cards "rejected again? Ha!" Ogar burst out in laughter, "you wasted all that time for nothing, again!" He pulled out a cigar from his breast pocket" look at you, all that hiding away to write has you white as a ghost with that skinny string bean body of yours and those raccoon eyes; you're a walking skeleton at this point" he muttered lighting his cigar. He took a long drag from the cigar blowing the smoke out in Jonathan's face "you need to give up your stupid little fantasies already because you'll never be anything more than you are now." Having grown bored, he stood up putting his cigar out on the table "now get to work" he ordered walking away.

When his shift ended he returned home spotting a basket filled with baked goods and a bottle of wine near the front door, as he drew closer to the basket, he spotted a note inside and grabbed it. "Sarah…" he said softly recognizing her handwriting, "I thought that you could use something to brighten up your night" he heard her voice turning around to find her coming around the corner of his house. She walked up to him "I know I shouldn't be out here, but earlier you looked so hurt, and I just couldn't bear to see you in such a state" she spoke softly pushing back a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Just as he was about to speak, she stopped him, "I don't want you to give up your dreams. I think the world you created in those pages is wonderful and I would give anything to see it become a reality one day."

Her words warmed his heart, and he smiled taking her hands into his looking into her eyes "thank you, to know that you feel this way is enough to encourage me to continue on," her cheeks became a cardinal red as she moved away with a bashful smile. "I better get going," she told him, backing away with a nervous laugh "goodbye" she bid him farewell running off. He watched her run off for a moment before taking the basket inside, calling Cipher in the who rushed into the house finding his spot on the small bed that was placed near Jonathan's. He sat down on his couch taking a little bite from one the pastries "I just have to keep trying" he told himself lying back on his bed staring up at the ceiling until he drifted off to sleep.

In the haze of slumber, he found himself back in his family's pumpkin patch, but it wasn't the same. "What's this?" he asked looking around, the pumpkins had horrifying expressions carved into them glowing bright orange from the candles lit inside them with row after row of gruesome faces staring at him as he walked down the path. He couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched hearing low whispers and snickers from among the pumpkins until he tripped over a vine that felt like it reached out to grab him and everything went silent. The moment of silence was short lived when the snickering broke out into loud laughter as the vine wrapped around his leg slithering up, and voices soon chanted his name. He began to panic and ripped the vine from his leg springing up to make a run for it, bats screeched in a nearby tree having been disturbed by his actions and swarmed circling around him before flying off into the night. He burst through a rusted black gate entering what looked like a town full of gothic architecture, thunder booming and lightning striking across a dark moonlit sky. The residents weren't human but instead demons, witches, and corpses walking alongside vampires as they gathered to the town square to welcome a decaying horse carrying someone. His jaw dropped at the grisly scene; howls and cackles were echoing through the night, the passenger on the horse was a scarecrow with a pumpkin head and sinister expression on its face. The Scarecrow sat still for a moment before suddenly jumping to its feet using one of the lanterns to light its arm on fire soon after bursting into flames cackling in delight. It stumbled back and forth on the saddle once its whole body was engulfed, taking a step towards him threatening to fall.

Jonathan shrieked, jumping back to avoid him. The flaming Scarecrow managed to find its balance turning on a heel to stumble towards others in the crowd before leaping into a well. He panted softly as he drew closer to the well feeling his heart begin to thump in his chest. Hesitant, he looked inside only to be greeted by a bony hand that sprung up and grabbed his wrist. The hand pulled him forward, finding himself face to face with the Scarecrow once more as he rose from the water. The pumpkin's charred flesh fell away to reveal the face of a skeleton that snickered whispering into his ear"all hail to the Pumpkin King."

He gasped springing out of bed, waking to find that morning had come. It was all just a nightmare, even so, it felt real to him. He panted wiping the cold sweat from his face looking down to find that his hands were trembling "that was...incredible!"

That morning Sarah sat in her living room dressed in a formal white gown her hair pinned up in a bun and beside her was her father grumbling holding an ice pack to his head. Across from them sat a young man with raven black hair twirling around a cricket bat in his hand while his father sipped whiskey from a glass. "Hm, you don't see many girls with such an odd complexion" the man commented, pointing out the difference between the white botches and her brown skin. "Though I suppose her overall appearance is acceptable even with the flaws." smiled with a chuckle "yes my daughter has the beauty of her mother indeed she is also an excellent homemaker and seamstress, not to mention highly educated." The young man snorted "as if intelligence matters for a bride" his comment earning a glare from Sarah her father giving her a look to tell her to keep her mouth shut. "My son is correct, so long as she is attractive and obedient that is all that matters," the father said setting down his glass "I suppose I can approve of this union, so you have yourself a deal Stein." rubbed his hands together grinning "wonderful! Then our two children shall wed come the first of June" he took the man's hand shaking it. Sarah hung her head, digging her nails into her hand that rested on her lap as the two men sat and discussed her future with no concern for her input. All she could think about was Jonathan's smile and the way he held her hands with such tender care, "Sarah" nudged her "stand and properly greet your future husband Vincent" he ordered.

She stood up when Vincent did and walked over to him, he grinned and took her hand "how's about a kiss for our folks dear?" he snaked an arm around her pulling her close. As he leaned in to kiss her, she turned her head, pushing him away "no!" Vincent glared at her "I'm sorry, what was that?" his father looked at her's "what is the meaning of this disobedient shrew rejecting my son?" Stein wheeled over in front of her "she is just a bit bashful is all" he assured showing them out "why don't we meet for dinner tomorrow night? By then, I am sure she will be over her wedding jitters." Once they agreed to his plan, he showed them out waving goodbye before he closed the door.

"How dare you!" he screamed, rushing over to her, "you nearly ruined your engagement!" She turned away, crossing her arms "I don't want to marry that man! Marrying him will force me into a life of servitude that I don't want!

"It doesn't matter what you want, you ungrateful girl! You embarrassed me, the man to whom you owe your very existence. If it were not for me you be hobbling around with only a single arm and leg in a gutter somewhere" he hissed gesturing at the prosthetic limbs he had made for her.

"Father, I want to become a doctor like you, not be stuck at home as some housewife to a man I don't know or even like."

"You don't decide your future! I do! I am your father, you do as I say. Everything I put into raising you and you thank me with disobedience. I created you, I am you an acceptable human being, I raised you, you are my property!" he screamed.

"But father, I want to find my own love and my own way."

"It's a flippant phase you ingrate! Now go prepare dinner! Not one more word unless it is telling me the food is ready. It better be worthy of the dinner party I am hosting tomorrow" he growled rolling back to his office.

Sarah whipped around storming into the kitchen in tears 'I can't let this happen' she thought. While she pulled out ingredients for dinner she came across her vial, "hm…" she grabbed the vial taking it from the covert popping the cork off of a wine bottle pouring the entire contents into it. "I will serve this to everyone, and by the end of dinner they should be out cold, and I can make my escape from this hellish life" she smiled. After she put the bottle away she returning to her cooking when entered the kitchen to check on her, he spotted the bottle of wine on the shelf and grabbed it "might as well have a drink" he told himself heading back to his office.

The next morning Jonathan was woken up by a loud banging on his door, he quickly got up pulling on his robe as the banging seem to become more frantic answering the door. When he opened the door, Sarah rushed into his arms, bursting into tears, "Sarah? What is going on? Why are you crying?" he asked, gently pulling her away. "He's dead! My father, he's dead! I didn't mean for this to happen, I didn't know he would die!" she sobbed covering her face with her hands, leaving him in a more confused state than before. "The doctor is dead? How can that be and what do you mean you didn't mean to?" she slowly lowered her hands, avoiding eye contact with him as she explained. "The other day, a man and his son showed up at our home, speaking of a marriage arrangement. My father, he didn't care about my dreams and demanded I be a simple housewife for a man I just met. I couldn't live that life, Jonathan. I had to escape, so I came up with a plan to run away. My father had a bottle of his best wine ready for the party, so I added Belladonna to the wine. In small doses, it puts people into a drug-induced sleep, and I could pack my belongings and leave town, but my father drank the bottle himself in anger. I noticed at night he was having terrible pain and this morning he was… he was…" she hugged him tightly.

"What do I do? They'll have me locked away, or executed!" as Jonathan patted her head to comfort her, he contemplated what he could do to help her. It was then he found himself remembering his dream "that's it," he whispered chuckling before bursting out into a full blown laughter "that's it!" Sarah wiped her eyes, tilting her head in confusion when he gripped her shoulders "run away with me, run away with me, and let's create a new world. That's fresh out of everyone's nightmares."