Jacquelyn O'Lantern, a mysterious little girl who the Man in the Moon bestowed guardianship. Long dark black hair compared to the darkest nights. Her eyes the color of amber always burning brightly like a candle. Her skin fair and smooth enough for the moon to smile upon her.
Jacquelyn is more absent-minded than her half-brother and blood sister. She tends to go into her own realm during classes and is a bit robustious than an average lad in Britain. Her friend a lonely little boy in the far reaches of Harlowsheer, England enjoys her company. The little boy calls her Jack for short, which irritates her really badly. But the little boy was the only person Jacquelyn cares about since her family members treat her like an outsider.
Her families are the rich nobles who wishes for Jacquelyn to understand their need to create peace with their rivals the O'Connell. Jacquelyn herself is a free spirit who only wishes to rid of her nobility of birth. She decides to wear what the common people wear in her town: tunics, trousers, cloaks, and at times gauntlets.
She sports a moon embroidered tunic along with trousers of black linen. Her boots made of leather. Equipped with her at all times is her staff with a skull of a goat and her sling bag filled with leaves, twigs, ropes, and pebbles.
October 31, was the day Jacquelyn was to visit the little boy's place. She walked out of her house in the middle of the night. Jacquelyn slung her bag around her, grabbed her staff and tied rope around her waist. Living in the attic has its perks, not having nosy family siblings in the room and having privacy. But, climbing down from the attic to the ground is dangerous. Especially if the house littered with traps and spikes.
It was calm, the wind was blowing slightly and the moon was peeking out of its shadows. In the morn hours, Jacquelyn helped her siblings carve out pumpkins and stuck candles inside of them. Allowing their artwork illuminate the small town. Soon everyone in the small town were doing the same thing. Worst part was they called them 'Jack O'Lantern' instead of 'Jacquelyn O'Lantern'. This she did not mind for it made her feel happy that the children were having fun in such a dreadful day.
She tossed the rope out of her window and tethered one side on her bed post made of mahogany bark. She climbed down the side of her house carefully, not wanting to wake up the others while they slept of their demons, monsters and other ghoulish things they dream of, on this particular night. Jacquelyn gripped her bag close to her, the night was still young and she needed to hurry. Quietly she walks out-of-town, only the light of the Jack O'Lantern lit her path to the old house.
Jacquelyn smiles and hikes up the steep path. As she walks, the wind blew causing her cloak to ripple. She uses her staff to keep herself leveled with the ground. Arriving at last, she walks pass the house. Around the back the view of the town. A marker with a goat skull stood. Letting her left knee touch the ground, she smiles. Stabbing her staff in the ground, she shuffles through her bag. Producing white lilies with the stems still attached. She lays them down near an inscribed rock.
'Happy Hallows Eve Jake,' she whispers.
My, my what a wonderful present you brought.
Jacquelyn stood abruptly, holding her staff protectively. Clenching her teeth, she knew from the day she was born she was able to hear and see things differently than everyone else. The moon once more illuminated the place, causing Jacquelyn's eyes to increase on sight. When the clouds began to stir, the shadows began to play tricks on her. From behind a bush a growl was heard. A pair of green eyes illuminated and watched Jacquelyn from behind. She looked around, the only thing illuminating light was her staff. As soon as arms wrapped around her, Jacquelyn jumped.
She turned to see her younger sister, Emily. Her curly red hair and freckles were too cute for Jacquelyn. Her green eyes illuminated like cat eyes. Jacquelyn patted her younger sisters head.
'What thou is doing?' she asked with a worried voice.
'Jackie walked out, I decided to follow!' the younger girl said in a high voice.
Jacquelyn smiled one moment, in the next she felt fear coursing through her entire body. The voice from earlier returned causing Emily to grip Jacquelyn's trousers. The wind was blowing, but it did not feel welcoming.
My, my brought your little sister too? Care for a wish?
Jacquelyn felt sweat drenched, cold and scared. Nothing scared her, unless it was her worst fear. The voice laughed. Good, show me your worst fear.
Emily screamed, Jacquelyn felt defenseless. She got to one knee and looked at her sister's green eyes. Emily frightened, no she was afraid of the voice inside of her head.
'Emily!' Jacquelyn shouted. 'Go back to town, this is just a game okay? I need you to go back, follow the Jack O'Lantern, they will lead you home.'
Emily nodded her head. Jacquelyn took off her locket and handed it to her sister. She then gestured her to go back. Emily did so reluctantly. As soon was Emily was out of sight, Jacquelyn stood and gripped her staff. Glaring at the house, the voice returned.
No fair...you destroyed my fun.
'Show yourself!' she shouted. 'I know your there Dream Eater!'
Dream Eater was the name Jacquelyn called him. Every night when she would sleep, he would come and introduce her to the nightmares...to her fear. Dream Eater was the only name she could think and somehow it stuck to him like glue. She warned everyone in the town about him, but they laugh her off. Her parents even feared she was going to go completely mad.
Fine, but it's your wish...not mine.
Jacquelyn stood ready with her staff. The shadows appeared to have gathered in front of her. Standing upright a man with black hair, ashen grey face, and dark eyes. His clothing was that of black, Jacquelyn could not tell if he was going to a funeral or is some sort of Visigoth she never heard of. He looked at her widening his arms.
Hello, I'm Dream Eater...the one who introduced you to nightmares and fear. But formally I'm known as Pitch.
She could feel her fear seeping her courage away. She could hear voices in the distance, her father's and the village men. Pitch smiled, well I guess my stay here is unwelcome. Oh and before I leave, inside of that house is your half-brother, Connor was it?
'Why are you doing this?!' Jacquelyn shouted. 'What have I done to you?!'
It's not you, it's the children of the world. They don't fear me anymore, so I'll start with you.
Pitch disappeared along with the shadows. Fire began to start within the house. Jacquelyn could hear Connor's voice inside of the house. She rushed into the house, yelling out her half-brother's name. Meanwhile, on top of the moon a man looks upon the Earth hearing a girl's shout.
Pitch has returned, he says to himself.
Jacquelyn came to a door to the basement. She could hear her half-brother yelling out. She pushed and pulled the door. She told him it would be alright. She used her staff to keep her upright, the heat was getting to her. Hearing her father's voice she called out to him, but he refused to go in for the flames would destroy the house. She stared at her staff, the eyeless sockets of the goat looked back at her.
'Connor! Stay clear of the door!' she shouted.
Jacquelyn used her force of energy and kicked the door down. Smoke billowed, the fire was close. Using her cloak to cover her nose, she descended into the basement. It was strong, the smoke was causing her to see less. She choked and tears were streaming down her face. 'Connor! Where are you?'
No response. Going on all fours Jacquelyn crawled. She could feel her fear rising by the minute. Finding brown hair, Jacquelyn followed the sounds of whimpers. She found him, his hands tied and his mouth stuffed with a rag. Cutting the things loose she carried him. 'Your safe, let's head out of here.'
'Jacquelyn,' he said in a hoarse voice. 'I'm sorry, I followed you.'
Tears came to her eyes, she wished none of this happened. If Dream Eater remained as a voice in her mind this would never have happened. The place was crashing down on them. Connor decided to walk by himself. The place was burning, grabbing her staff Jacquelyn used it to push away the falling timber. They were close to the opening. But the smoke was already destroying her in the inside. Connor was about to fall due to the fire. Jacquelyn broke her arm due to saving him. Something caught her leg. 'Go Connor, tell dad I'll be there.'
Connor nodded and left. Leaving Jacquelyn in the mercy of the fire. Tears fell from her face, this is what she deserved. She silently prayed, that if she was to be reborn let her be moody and no emotion but guilt, sadness, and anger. Happiness will follow once she deserves to see a smile upon the children's faces once more.
This is the beginning of Jack O'Lantern, the guardian of All Hallows Eve.