Hello once again! I do not own The Nightmare before Christmas. I do own Holly and the plotline, so if you use her or the story in any shape, way or form, give me credit. Now that that's over, I'd like the thank the one person who reviewed my story. Thank you so much Kalaia! It may have been one word, but it's my first review ever and it made me happy. I was going to wait to post this chapter later but... I was bored. And so, I hope you enjoy the second chapter of my story!
Chapter 2
A few months after Christmas was over, production of next year's toys were going so smoothly, that the elves were allowed a little time off at the end of the day. No one knew why things were working so well, no one but a certain elf... of course she wasn't letting anyone catch wind that "Holly No-Cheer" was improving the machines even if it was for her own benefit. Day after day she would carefully sneak into the workrooms during break time and add a little oil and tweak with wires and bolts, until exactly three months had passed since Christmas and already they were a third of their quota ahead of schedule.
A small smirk spread across rose-red lips as Holly watched an excited Jeffery run up to her, "Holly, Holly! The bosses say that they're going to make a major announcement! Everyone's to come, hurry!" With a bored sigh and an inward smile, she took her time standing up. "Jeffery, why don't you calm down for once, I swear, if you stay as hyper as you are, you'll die early." The male elf's eyes widened in shock. "That's mean, you shouldn't say stuff like that, it could come true."
After making their way to the commotion, the two elves found a spot in the corner. Santa Clause stood on the top of a staircase, Mrs.Clause beside him, to his left. "Dear Elves, thank you again for all the work you have been putting forward. I can say that I've never seen you work so well or so fast as this year. I am quite impressed with all of you, and as thanks, me and the Misses would like for you to all have half the day off to do whatever you please. Why, if you keep working so well, we may have to put together a schedule so that you can have full days off!" A cheer went through the masses of elves, all joyously screaming their little heads off. Amongst those screaming the loudest, a hyperactive Jeffery was hopping up and down, Holly behind him with a very un-elf-like smile upon her face. An unnoticed movement and suddenly a series of screams issued from the front of the crowd. Jeffery's face was one of many drawn into an open-mouthed expression of horror. Dearest Santa Clause had somehow slipped and fallen down the steps, his leg sprawled in a sickeningly odd angle. Mrs.Clause pushed many well-meaning elves out of the way. "Make room, get the doctor! Please, just go..." A small sob issued from the woman known to be strong.
A tiny pang of guilt echoed in Holly's chest, but she brushed if off like lint. Gently bracing her arms on Jeffery's shoulders, she steered her saddened friend towards their dorm. "But, but ,but..." He whimpered, trying to escape Holly's grip. Placing a mask of sadness as her features, she shook her head at her overly-caring companion. "No Jeffery, you'd only be in the way. I'm sure he'll be fine, bones mend quite quickly." A flash of realization lit the male elf's face momentarily and his expression quickly changed back into one of concern. "Well, I guess you know bones as well as anyone." Holly's heartbeat quickened a pace before she remastered herself. Wait... I know Jeff's not stupid, but... did he just figure out that I? No, he couldn't have. Maybe he suspects, but he has no proof, no one does. I better just be a little more careful or my plans may not succeed. Letting go of her blond companion, she walked him back to the dorms, excusing herself to the bathroom.
The moment she left Jeffery's side, she made her way to her "planning office", an old abandoned tower where a workshop used to be. Ten years ago it had been the death for an elf when he slipped on a stair and into one of the candy-mixers. The whole batch had to be re-done and the elves morale had been terrible that year. Now all their factories are rectangular, no platforms above the mixers except for those cat-walks needed to maintain them. It had seemed the perfect place to start her plans for a new Halloween.
Pulling out a roll of parchment, as she favored that instead of the newer "sheets of paper". Dipping her pen in the well of ink, she began to scribble down a thought, shake her head, scratch it out, and repeat the process. "Think Holly, think. What did Jack do?" A few moments later, as she wrote a new thought, she heard something like stone sliding and peeked out of a window. In the snow below, Jack and an elf walked from thecemetery towards the main buildings. This is it! I can ask him myself! She rushed down the stairs with the grace of a cat, grabbing her fur-trimmed cloak, and zipping towards the pair out of a crack in the tower. She slowed her run to a light jog, regaining her composure. "Hello Jack, what are you doing here?" She said sweetly, a small true smile breaking from her mask.
"Oh, hello you. I saw you last Christmas correct?" She nodded as the Pumpkin King easily kept pace with the smaller escorts. "Sandy Claws asked that I come and keep an eye on you all for the time being. Until he's healed or so I was told. Do you know what happened?" His own curiosity with the gruesome wasn't out of place so Holly happily answered, "Oh, I..." and suddenly schooled her response for the 'ears' that listened into their conversation. "I saw Santa fall just a few hours ago. It was horrible, his leg was broken into a horrible position and I could tell that Mrs.Clause was sick with worry." Not understanding why the female elf changed her tone, Jack merely raised a bonyeye ridge keeping his thoughts to himself. "Well, he's going to be fine. It really doesn't take all that long for bones to knit. Oh, that's right. I almost forgot that you of Christmas town have to worry about things like muscles and sinew. Well, I' sure he'll heal up just fine regardless. Thank you for your insight...er," She let herfacade of sadness slip and turned her small smile towards the bony figure. "My name is Holly." The brunette beside them muttered, "Holly No-Cheer's more like it." Covering her words with an awfully fake cough. Jack looked at the small brunette, "That sounds like it could be contagious, oh how glorious. Well, thank you Holly. It looks like I'm going to be busy for a little while, but no worries, I can handle it." He gave a eerie laugh of delight, and turned to walk up the very steps where the large red man had fallen earlier. Watching Jack walk up the stairs, Holly quickly called out, "Jack?"
He glanced back down at her. "Yes?"
A shy smile peered upon the skeletal man, pale fingers play with poinsettia red hair, "I have some questions, could I possibly come have a chat with you sometime? That is after you've gotten settled."
A quick moment to think and Jack nodded, "I think that would be a fine thing. I must be off now." And he quickly disappeared into the doorway, vanishing from sight.
Holly ran back towards the tower, holding the slightly sad mask in place until she couldn't contain herself anymore. She barely reached the edge of the old tower's debris when a mad laughter echoed through the snowy terrain.
