As it struck twelve, midnight on Halloween, the townspeople were beginning to become anxious. This would be the first child to be brought into Halloweentown since those two devilish boys. Townspeople quietly hummed the pumpkin song, and soon it caught on, like a soft lullaby. After a few minutes, they heard a window open on the tall tower of the Pumpkin King's home and a soft wailing emitted from it. The crowd rose up in cheers shouting enthusiastically "Jack!" and "Happy Halloween!"
This would be one night nobody would forget.
The townspeople hurried up to the gate, pressing their faces eagerly, trying to peer up into the closed off house. Then, suddenly, the front door swung open and the great Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, stepped onto the front porch.
He seemed defeated, sullen, angry. The towns people began backing away, some asking tentatively, "What's wrong, Jack?"
He looked around sadly, then pointed up to his study. From the shadow of the light coming from the hearth, they saw a shadow in the shape of a baby. It was wailing. The town's people began whispering among themselves.
"What?"
"No, it seems unlike one…"
"What is it?"
"What have you done to us, Jack?"
Jack looked at the people in distress. At that moment a loud wailing came from the tower. There was some scratching noises, then it sounded as if something was being torn apart. Some stared in mute horror, while others winced and tried to shut out the noise with their hands over their ears.
"Look at what you have created, Jack! Destroy it, before it destroys us!" cried the mayor.
Jack took one look at the crowd that surrounded his gate, and then took off back into the house. Racing up the stairs and into the tower, jack stopped dead at the sight that lay before him. Sally was holding the child, and although the room was a discordant mess, the atmosphere was quite peaceful. The child was asleep, her silvery tan curls framing her angelic face. Sally seemed content, gently cradling the child in her stitched up arms. Without saying a word, jack took the child from her arms and proceeded to leave.
"Jack? What are you doing?" asked sally, following him down the stairs.
"Getting rid of the problem."
"But, Jack! It's only a small child!"
Jack headed outside, and the crowd parted, keeping a far distance from the babe.
"Ohh, look! It doesn't ooze," said the swamp monster, peering over in disgust.
"How horrible! It doesn't look frightening!" squawked one of the witches, scrunching her eyes in disgust.
"Such a shame Jack, you could have done better," said the werewolf.
Jack tried to ignore them as he passed through town. Sally was trying to keep up, but she was being pushed back by the crowd.
"What went wrong, Jack? Where is the Pumpkin Prince you promised?" crowed the other witch in a mocking tone. The others quickly followed suit.
"Yeah, Jack? Where is the heir of Halloween?"
They kept daunting him until they came upon a deep well on the edge of town. The crowd surrounded Jack, taunting and mocking.
"Where is he, Jack? Where is he?"
"We could have done so much better, could we?"
"Yes, yes indeed. Such a disappointment again, Jack…"
Jack lifted the small girl up, so that the entire town could see her. Sally pushed through the crowd to see what he was about to do. The child was awake now, her deep maroon eyes gazing at the crowd.
"Jack, no!"
