0 0 0 (Jack) 0 0 0

As me and Skellington walk, the black void starts to be fill itself with color. Lines trace over each other to form shapes, and the shapes transforme into a place: A street. However, it wasn't just a street on an ordinary day. It was in fact dark, and the houses on the sidewalk had decorations all over it.

I knew before the environment had finish forming that the mysterious magic was forming a Halloween night.

As I take in the atmosphere, I recognize something odd: I didn't remember this Halloween night. More specifically, I didn't see any of the elaborate decorations and costumes that the residents of Halloween Town and I had made. However, even with the extravagant Halloweens I have experienced as the Pumpkin King, I could tell that this Halloween was special.

Another thing that I also notice was that nobody seemed to see me or Skellington. I decide to ask him, "Mr. Skellington? Why isn't anybody cowering in fear of us?"

He replies in a casual tone, "Skellington will work just fine Jack, but I appreciate your politeness. As for your question, the reason for that is because nobody can see us. Or rather, we're not actually here. You probably can't tell, but the seven holiday trees are directly connected to Earth's core, allowing us to visit the Earth's memory."

"The Earth's memory?" I look down at the pavement under my shoes and stare in amazement. "The ground that normal people walk on has a memory?"

Skellington nods his pumpkin-head. "Yes, it does. Every living thing has a memory. The plants, the flowers, the trees. Us as well, even though we're manifestations of spirits. The Earth isn't any different."

"Wow... That's super cool!"

Skellington chuckles, smiling in amusement. "I have to agree with you there."

As we stroll through the different streets, I found myself often stopping to admire the night. The decorations and costumes have a special feeling about them. Even though it's not as spooky as the Halloweens I've conducted, I feel incredibly excited! Why is that? As I think about that question, I suddenly remember what Skellington said before we came here. He said that he was going to show me my life before I became the Pumpkin King. Does that mean this Halloween is-

"Trick-or-treat!"

A voice suddenly makes my head turn. To my right, there was a man and a woman with three children at a house, their kids holding out their bags to receive some candy. One was a boy, who was wearing a black cat outfit. He had a grin of a prankster, like Lock Shock and Barrel, but his expression was much more gentler than the three, holding no traces of malicious intent. I could tell from the way he was smiling that he loved Halloween with all of his heart.

The other child was a girl. She was wearing a witch's attire and held a small broom in her right hand. The girl also had one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen, and she was giggling in joy when candy fell into her bucket. From the little that I saw of her, I knew without a doubt that she was someone that I would like to be friends with if I ever got the chance to.

The last child turns around from the person's door and shows his parents the gift he just received. "Mommy, mommy, look! I got a chocolate bar!"

The two adults smile proudly at their child. As they do, I walk closer to them. That boy... His costume...

"So Jack," the older man said, "How is Halloween? Is it fun? Terrifying?!"

The boy eagerly nods. "Halloween is the best!"

They all laugh while I gaze over myself. His hair was as black as the night, but his eyes were as blue as the ocean. What's more, his costume was a scarecrow that looked exactly like my pumpkin king outfit, although I notice that the pumpkin head was replaced with a normal scarecrow's hat.

Skellington walks to my side, gazing at the scene with me. "It's always special, isn't it Jack? A person's first Halloween."

I stand up, a small, nostalgic smile on my face. "Indeed it is. It always makes me smile to see someone experience Halloween the first time."

Skellington looks up towards the moon, which I notice was whole tonight. "Halloween amazes me. It's supposed to be a night of horror, filled with shrieks and streams of blood. Even so, this is also a night where children's faces are alight with glee, and their hearts are filled with joy. It's so impossible for these two things to mix…. Yet Halloween does this, year after year without fail."

I nod my head in agreement. "I fully concur with you. That is why-"

"-Halloween is my favorite day of the year!"

The sudden jump-in catches me off guard. I turn my head towards the source of the voice and see that it came from the old me, although he was still oblivious to our presence. It was quite eerie, to be frank, but eerie was just my style.

Still, even though I'm watching myself and what appears to be my family celebrating Halloween, I still don't recall any of this.

Skellington responds to my thoughts, "That is because you cannot remember these memories like you did when you were alive. You do not have the brain that your human-self did, which held all your memories in it. You will have to rewatch all the events in your life if you wish to experience your human life again."

"Really? Hmm..." I think about his offer, and eventually reply, "Maybe not today, since I won't have time to watch my entire life, but I would like to do that sometime. What I really want to see right now though is how I died."

When I say that, Skellington's expression suddenly droops in sadness. "...I had a feeling you would say that. Unfortunately, unlike your personality, the day of your death is... tragic."

I shrug my shoulders. "I get that. It's no fun when a person dies. Still, I became the pumpkin king because of it, so it can't be that bad!"

He doesn't respond to my optimism. For a moment, I could feel sadness radiate from him, and I wonder what kind of death lied in store for me.

After a few moments of silence, Skellington says to me, "Then let us go…. To the day that you died."

With a wave from his hand, the time from the memory that we were in began to speed up. Days and nights zoom by, too fast for me to keep count of the passing days. Eventually, Skellington halts the process.

It was now daytime, far past the memory that we were just in. We also weren't standing on the sidewalk anymore, instead being positioned in front of a house. I had a feeling that it was my old home. I look at it curiously, wondering what it was like inside.

Skellington, on the other hand, gazes at the house with a melancholic expression on his face. He was dead silent as well, which was weird to see after our constant chatting.

All of a sudden, I hear my human-self's voice behind me. I turn towards it, and see my human self walking along the sidewalk, humming a tune to himself... or perhaps it's myself. Whatever it may be, I notice that my human self was still a child. He didn't look that much older from when I last laid eyes on him, in fact.

...Wait a minute. Skellington said that he took us to the day that I died, which means that I...!

"I can never watch this part."

As Skellington confirms my suspicion, a car down the street starts to speed up dangerously. Too dangerously. The car suddenly swerves into the sidewalk with no time to stop... Directly into the boy who loved Halloween, killing him in an instant.

I gasp in shock as my old-self is flatten before my very eyes. Screams of shock and horror erupted from my house. It was the first scream to ever make my bones chill.

My family soon rushes to the boy's side, tears in their eyes. They call the hospital, desperate to save me... But I already knew how the story ends.

The scene soon dissolves into black, leaving me and Skellington by ourselves. I could feel the pain and sadness radiate from him, and I knew that he didn't want to be in that memory for a second longer than necessary.

After a few seconds of solemn silence, Skellington turns to me and proclaims, "I have seen many scenes that are thousand of times more grotesque and horrifying than a drunk driver getting into an accident… Yet no event has ever made me sadder than your death."

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I instead ask him, "What happened to my family? Are they okay?"

To my relief, Skellington nods. "They are all still alive. Your sister is married with two kids, and has another baby coming. She is very happy with her life. As for your brother, he has currently found a girl that he's in a relationship, and is going steady with her."

I chuckle. "It kind of reminds me of my relationship with Sally right now."

He grins. "Yes, it is very much like that. He's even thinking about a future with her."

…

"And what about my parents? Are they all right?"

To my great relief, Skellington nods. "It took years for them to come to terms with your death, but yes, they are happy. Their days are filled with joy and comfort. ….However…." He pauses for a moment, his expression drooping in sadness again. "...Halloween has become a day of memorial than a day of celebration. They aren't able to enjoy Halloween like they used to anymore."

"Oh..." I understood why, I truly did. But still, it made me sad to think that anybody couldn't enjoy Halloween as much as I did. It was just... Heart-wrenching to me.

Thinking about my death some more, however, I came to another realization. "Wait a second. I'm aware that I died as a child, but I still don't understand how my death made me become the pumpkin king."

"Ah, an excellent question Jack. It's a very complicated process, but to put it simply, I used my powers to carry your soul to Halloween Town. You see, I am merely the spirit of Halloween. Even so, I am not capable of holding a physical form. None of the other holiday spirits can either."

"Wait, 'other holiday spirits?' You mean that the other holidays have the manifestation of it like you?"

He nods as he says, "That is correct. The other holiday spirits need a vessel to run their respective holidays just as much as I do. However, we are not limited on who we can chose to be our vessel. Christmas chose the old but humble man Santa 'Saint' Nick to run Christmas Town, while Easter chose a bunny for their vessel."

I snap my fingers at the memory of the bunny of Easter. "Oh yeah, I remember him! Lock Shock and Barrel took him by accident!"

Skellington chuckles at the memory. "I had an earful for that one from Easter... Speaking of which, I should answer your question regarding if I had another vessel before you."

I gape at Skellington. "You... You knew I was thinking that?"

Skellington snickers at me. "The curiosity I felt from you when we walked down in the memory of your first Halloween was more than enough to know what you were thinking. As for your question, the simple answer is yes. Halloween has existed many years before you were born, so I had another vessel run Halloween on my behalf."

His words make my entire being, for the first time in a long time, stunned. "There was another person ruling over Halloween before I was?!"

"Yes, for quite a long time in fact." Skellington smiles with a nostalgic expression on his face. "We only talked face-to-face once, but I still treasure the time they spent here in Halloween Town."

"Wow..." I was incredibly fascinated at the brand-new fact. Still, I had to wonder... "What happened to your previous vessel? Did they quit or something?"

Skellington suddenly goes silent, and he pulls his gaze away from my own. "...I'm sorry, but I can't tell you about them. They asked me to keep their life a secret, for reasons that I also cannot disclose. Even for you Jack, I cannot reveal to you any more than I already have."

"Oh..." I had to admit, I was even more curious from his promise to the old ruler of Halloween. However, even though I didn't know Skellington for long, I had grown in respect for him, and so I was willing to let my curiosity go. "If that's the case, then I won't ask anymore. I'm sorry to bother you with that question."

"No, no, it's fine. I can tell that you didn't have any bad intent behind your question."

An awkward silence passes by as another question suddenly pops into my mind. A very precarious question. I was uncertain how I would feel about his answer, but I knew that Skellington could hear my thoughts, so he would still know what I wanted to asks him. I decide to ask him myself instead of having him read my mind, "Skellington… Be honest with me. Am I living up to how the old Pumpkin King ran Halloween? I mean, I've put Halloween Town in danger when I went out looking for new discoveries, and I once wanted to abandon my role as the Pumpkin King!"

Skellington, to my surprise, smiles. "I will not compare you to the older vessel of Halloween, as you both have your strengths and weaknesses. However, Jack, I can assure you that you have done a most remarkable job as the vessel of Halloween. Every year you make Halloween more fun and terrifying than I could have imagine, which you have my eternal gratitude for. As for your boredom of scaring others, rest assured. I was fully aware that you may or may not one day get a bit tired of Halloween."

My jaw suddenly falls off from my skull. I quickly scoop it up and insert it back into my mouth. "You were aware that I might lose focus on Halloween, but you still picked me?"

"I did indeed. You see, the other holiday rulers were much older when they were chosen to be the ruler of their respective holiday. Some of them lived to the full extent of their lives, while some others find fulfillment in running their holiday. You, on the other hand, are different from them because you died so young, no older than the age of 6. You didn't have the chance to experience life and emotions like the other Holiday rulers. That is why you are always curious about new things."

His answer helps me understand myself a bit more. "But still, what about-"

"Your worry for your curiosity causing trouble is justified," Skellington replies to my thoughts. "There are certain liabilities and risks of being too curious. However, I could also see that you would use your curiosity to develop Halloween in ways that no one else would think of. Yes, there were many others who were potential candidates. However, none of them had the kindness and love for Halloween that you did. You are the most youngest vessel for a holiday, but that is precisely why I trusted that you would take care of my holiday."

His words make me smile, and if I had skin and blood I would be blushing.

"So... What exactly happened when you chose me to be your vessel? Wasn't I a human then?"

"Yes, you were. A very young human at that. You didn't have the necessary skills in order to run Halloween and its citizens. To fix that problem..." Skellington holds out his straw hands towards me. All of a sudden, a black smoke seeps out from them. "...I used my powers to create an adult skeleton that your soul could inhabit. While your true age is close to teenage years, your skeleton is infused with the mental age of an adult, allowing you to have the knowledge and wisdom that comes from age and experience."

"Really?" I look at myself, fascinated that my skeleton came from the hands of the spirit of Halloween himself. "In that case, thank you for making this body for me!"

Mr. Skellington gives me a courtesy bow. "The pleasure is all mine Jack. Skeletons are actually my favorite costumes for Halloween, so it was fun for me to create a skeleton of my own."

We both smile, and I felt like asking him some more questions. Before I could ask any of them, however, Skellington says to me, "Jack, do you remember when I mentioned about different worlds?"

"Huh? …Oh, I think so! What about it?"

"Well, you see, I am the spirit of Halloween. Because of this, I can also see other worlds."

"You… Wait, what?"

"Oh, pardon me," Skelligton says in apology, "That might've been too hasty of an answer. To better explain, there are many different worlds out in the universe. These different worlds all have the seven Holidays, and as I am the spirit of Halloween, I have free reign to go to these different worlds."

My skull was buzzing with this new information, even more than when I was trying to understand how Christmas worked. "Okay... So what does that exactly mean?"

"It means," Skellington continues, "That if you so wish, with my power, I can take you to these other worlds."

When he says this, it takes me a few moments to comprehend what he was saying. I can VISIT these other worlds?! I wonder how they are, and how they celebrate Halloween… My hollow chest starts to dance in joy as I think of what could lay in store at these other worlds.

However, I remember what happened when I last left Halloween Town, and the promise that I made to myself to keep Halloween Town safe from harm.

"Mr. Skellington... I really appreciate your offer, but I can't."

Skellington looks at me with a shocked expression. "Are you certain Jack? Your heart is telling me otherwise."

I tilt my skull up in thought as the memories of the encounters with Oogie-Boogie run across my mind. "I can't deny that it sounds amazing, but… In the end, I can't just leave Halloween Town. The safety of everybody is my responsibility, and no matter what I feel, I am duty bound to protect it."

Skellington looks at me for few seconds in silence before nodding. "That is a very mature choice of you Jack. It's not easy to put the needs of others before your own." Skellington then snaps his straw fingers, and the Halloween door appears right next to us. "This door will put you back in the grove of the seven holidays. You may come in and out of this door anytime you wish."

I smile at him. "Thank you. I may be visiting again soon to look at my life again."

I walk to the Halloween door and grab its handle. However, before I leave, I hear Skellington call out to me, "Even though your selflessness isn't a weakness Jack, I worry that your duty to the Halloween town may become a chain. Don't forget that you have the right to enjoy yourself as well."

I look back at Skellington, but as I do, the space around me starts to grow white.

Then whiter...

And... Whiter...

...

0 0 0 (Sally) 0 0 0

I knew that Jack loved to go on walks, so when he told me that he was going to be walking around the town tonight, I wasn't too concerned. But when Zero came back alone, that's when I start to worry.

"Zero! Where's Jack?"

Zero barks in short yelps. 'We walked to the seven trees with the weird shapes, and he disappeared into the door with his orange head!'

I gasp in shock. He went back to the seven holiday trees and disappeared in the Halloween door? What does this mean? I quickly ask, "Zero, can you take me there?"

He barks a 'yes,' and flies off to the grove. I follow him as fast as my legs could carry me, quickly passing through the graveyard and into the forest at the edge of Halloween Town. Truth be told, I never actually went into the forest before, so I was glad Zero was there to guide me.

Eventually, we come to the seven holiday trees. They stood with a magnificent aura, each of them with a unique presentation around them. Seeing the trees and their respective holiday doors, I can't help but admire them. I can see the allure that made Jack enter Christmas Town now.

As we came closer to the trees, however, I saw Jack lying against the Halloween tree, seemingly unconscious. I cry out, "Jack!" Zero and I get down next to Jack, trying to wake him up.

After a few moments, Jack's eyelids slowly starts to open. He blinks a few times before replying, "Sally? Zero? Is that you?"

I sigh in relief and embrace him in a big hug. "You had me so worried Jack! Zero suddenly came home and said that you disappeared in the Halloween door!"

"The Halloween door...! That's right!" Jack suddenly leaps to his feet, and smiles wider than I had seen him in a long time. "I have so much to tell you Sally! You see..."

Jack explains to me of what happened inside the Halloween door and of his encounter with Skellington, sometimes singing it in song. (Jack loved to sing so much, everybody in Halloween Town occasionally sang to convey complex thoughts and emotions.) I didn't really question anything in Halloween Town, so it was really fascinating to hear knowledge about Halloween itself.

However, I notice that Jack's face fell a bit when he talked about how he declined Skellington's offer to take him to the different worlds. Seeing this, I ask Jack, "Why did you say no to Skellington's offer? It sounds like you really want to go."

"Oh, I could never go," Jack says as he waves his wrist. "I have too many things to do here! There's always preparing for next Halloween, and I'm always helping out with the citizens."

Jack did his best to put on a reassuring smile, but I knew him well enough to know that he was faking it. "Jack... I've actually wanted to talk to you about that for a while."

Jack looks at me with a confused look. "About what?"

"About how you feel! Don't think I haven't noticed you sulking around in the graveyard at night."

Jack's eyelids widens, and after a few moments of silence, he sighs. "I guess it would be pointless to try and deny it, huh?"

"Jack..." I lightly clasp his skeletal hands with my own. "You shouldn't hide things from me. After all, we're married."

Although there wasn't really any couples in Halloween Town, me and Jack pledged our love for each other after the incident with Santa Claus. Jack and I didn't really know how to act as lovers, to be honest, but we didn't mind the extra work. Our love for each other always keeps us going, no matter what happens to us.

Jack looks at me in silence for a few seconds before sighing again. "...I'm sorry for not being honest with you Sally. You're right in that I need to tell you how I really feel." Jack then lets go of my hands and looks back at the Halloween door. He places his hand on it as he says, "I love Halloween with every fiber in my bones. I can't imagine myself not celebrating Halloween every year. But when I got too curious, I disrupted the order of all the holidays. I threw caution to the wind, and it put Halloween Town in danger. It put you in danger. I couldn't live with myself if you came to any harm."

He looks back at me with a sad smile. "I may sometimes get a bit bored, but I can suffer being bored for all eternity if it means ensuring the happiness and well-being of Halloween Town."

I stand in shock at Jack's words. Even though he put it in a lighthearted manner, I could feel his immense sorrow emanating from him. Is this what Jack has been feeling for the past three years? I suddenly felt ashamed of myself for not noticing this sooner, for always assuming that he was alright even though I should've known better.

Shortly after our abrupt conversation, the three of us walk back to Halloween Town in silence. The mood was heavy, and it felt like none of us were comfortable. Even Zero gave me and Jack nervous glances.

However, as we walk back to Haloween Town, I wasn't content with just leaving things as they were. I was determine to help Jack regain his spirits again.

And I think I knew just how to do it. Unfortunately, I wasn't fond of the idea, as I would have to make a great sacrifice. A sacrifice that I was unsure if I could bear...