Chapter 2: The Three Recruits | A Separate Problem

The three recruits arrived in less time than the Mayor had said. Jack had taken the time beforehand to tell the citizens of what was going on so they would be prepared. Jack could see Sally through the crowd, and hesitated for half a second before continuing. After Jack's speech was over, she came up to him, "You're going to fight with them, aren't you?" She asked him. He nodded, "I'm able to, so it's only right."

Sally nodded, "Just be careful. I don't know if you realize it, but none of us want to lose our beloved King of Halloween." Jack nodded, "I'll be fine." Sally nodded, "I certainly hope so." Jack narrowed his eye-sockets, "Are you doubting me, Sally?" She smiled lightly at his joke, but didn't answer. "I better go. The doctor doesn't like me being out a long time." Jack nodded, "See you later."

Sally walked out just as the witches came up to Jack, "So, how are you and your girl, Sally doing these days?" Jack frowned, "We broke up yesterday. I don't want to talk about it." They blinked, "So you're available then." Jack sighed, not wanting to unleash his temper on them, "No, I'm not. I need time to be by myself. I'm still friends with Sally, but we both agreed it was too much. For the time being until I find someone NEW I'll be keeping to myself about that kind of thing." He walked away from them and out of Town Hall.

The three recruits were approaching Halloween Town. They all had serious expressions on their face. One would expect them to be happy to be picked, but they were all business, especially Rachel Terrera, the leader and most powerful of the group.

Being that no one knew when Rachel died, seeing as she was found some time after the event, no one could tell how long she'd been the way she was. And she wouldn't tell anyone. She had excelled in her training unlike anyone else had before, but still had a temper like no other. That part of her had stayed and come with her into her afterlife. Strapped to Rachel's back were her sword, bow, and arrows in a black and blue backpack. No whip could be seen. Her jet black hair swayed in the wind as they walked. Her big deep blue eyes scanned the area. She wore different shades of blues and black. Her ears were pointed, her long nails jet black, and her skin was a light blue color.

Vorgan Mc'Hem was to Rachel's right and had his club strapped to his back. He was very large and very fast despite his size. He also had good vision and very good hearing. His sense of smell was average. Unlike his two companions, who were both slim and good-looking, he had muscles bulging from his body and looked monstrous. But he didn't mind, he liked it that way. All he wore were a pair of ripped brownish trousers. No shirt would hide his greyish-green skin.

Damon Gothen was to Rachel's left and was almost as slim. His semi-long dark hair was almost as dark as Rachel's but had a tint of red and was way crazier; spiky, with a ponytail in the back. His skin was a pale red and his eyes a deeper fiery red. He wore a sleeveless black and red shirt and trousers that went up to his ankle and hung above his black and red boots. He had long red nails. His teeth were sharp, and one stuck out. His sword, bow, and arrows were all in a backpack on his back. His backpack was almost identical except that it had red instead of blue.

They continued to walk forward, Vorgan's senses and Rachel's senses picking up everything around them. Rachel sighed angrily, "I can't pick up enough from down here." She turned to Vorgan and Damon, "Damon, help me with Vorgan. We'll fly the rest of the way." Vorgan shook his head, "I too heavy. I hurt you or weaken you. We no need that. I use earth to catch up."

Rachel nodded, "Very well. It's to the sky for us, Damon." And they shot up into the sky. From there, Rachel and Damon could see Halloween Town. Damon called down to Vorgan, "It's about a mile away. Keep going straight Vorgan. If you get attacked, shout for us as loud as you can. Rachel will hear it." Vorgan nodded and gave a thumbs-up. They continued through the air and made it in less time.

Damon and Rachel flew over and down past the gate and landed just as Vorgan jumped the wall. Rachel smirked for the first time since they started their journey, "Not bad, Vorgan. You're just as fast on land as we are in the sky." Vorgan smiled, "Piece of cake." Rachel rolled her eyes and then turned forward as a skeleton in a pinstriped suit walked up to her, Damon and Vorgan who had joined them.

"You must be Rachel Terrera, Damon Gothen and Vorgan McHem. Hello, and welcome to Halloween Town. I'm Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town." He shook each of their hands and then continued, "We appreciate you coming all the way over here to help us." Rachel nodded without a smile, "It is our pleasure."

Jack nodded back. It certainly doesn't seem so. He thought to himself. You're not even smiling. Rachel's eyes widened, "You expect me to smile?" Jack's eyes widened, "You…you can read minds?" She nodded, "I don't smile very often anymore. I used to when I was alive and was stupid. But I had Bipolar Disorder when I was alive and I had hatred in me because of the way I was treated as a child. If anything, you can thank the people living who tortured me for the lack of smile on my face."

Jack frowned, "I see. The Mayor did say something about that." Rachel's eyes narrowed, "If anything, my hatred gives me power. I asked them to say that in my profile because it's true. I would not be as powerful without my hatred." Jack's frown turned sad, "Please tell you cared for at least someone in your life…and now in your afterlife."

Rachel sighed, "Barely. I had parents and a brother. I cared about most of them and my cousins. But other than that, I've been betrayed before. I barely had any friends when I died. I didn't have a very good life is what I mean. But it's fine. I can only wish that those who hurt me they feel the same pain that I felt."

Jack's eyes widened, "But why? Can't you let it go?" Rachel frowned, "That's not my way of doing things. I could, but I don't think that will help. I want revenge on them, but seeing as I am dead now, I can't." She turned away, "I hope they die painfully." Jack was surprised by how casual she was speaking like they were talking about the weather or what their plans for the day were.

"I'm sorry…" Was all he could say. Damon stepped forward, "It's fine. We all have issues, and we all cope with them in our own ways. As long as she's not hurting anyone, she can think about hatred as much as she wants." Jack looked at Rachel. All he wanted now was to help her get past her hatred. When she heard this thought, she turned on him, "Don't try that! I cannot be cured, Jack! I will always have this hatred in me. You cannot do anything about that!"

Jack sighed, "Fine…but before this conversation ends, let me give you something to think about. Don't you think that maybe it's only LOVE that you are missing. Think about it. From what I've learned about you, love is what you need to get past this obstacle. You'll still be powerful, and you'll have something worth fighting for. Something you care about…"

Rachel turned to him but remained silent. Jack took that as her thinking it over. And that was good enough for him…