Once waiting in the hall way of the king's manor Ali could hear the footsteps of the two guards making their way down the tall staircase. Trent and Mourn soon gave a sly smirk to the boy as he knew he was in trouble, "Jack will see you now boy". Trent said as he gave Ali a little shove heading towards the stairs.
"Yes, see you now Master does". Mourn said while smirking with his twin brother they knew Ali will be scolded for being home late, they didn't know was that he had been with his human friend Nessa.
Ali began ascending towards the tall crooked spiral staircase once he made it to the top of the stairs he would walk down the dark and dreary hallway towards Jack's study room, everything on the walls were covered by cobwebs and spiders, dust and old paintings of the Skellington family. He walked down towards a semi-large door that was old and worn out, the color of the door was black with white hinges.
"Enter". Said a loud scary voice that made Ali froze in one spot now he surely wished that he wasn't late, the boy soon gathered up enough courage to face his master. Ali opened the door and entered the study.
As he entered the room to his left he could see Zero the ghost dog lying down at his bed, then to his right he saw his mentor standing beside his desk. "Would you mind telling me why you were late Ali?". Jack said to his apprentice while looking at him with a disappointment look on his face.
"I.. I'm sorry Jack, I was only with my friend Ethan". Ali couldn't believe his own eyes he had just lied to the Pumpkin king. He felt like a very untrustworthy creature of the night right now, he had lied to the very skeleton that had taken him in when he was all alone and very small.
"Are you telling me the truth Ali?". Jack eyed the teen aged boy while kneeling down to become eye level with him even if he wasn't a small boy anymore he still needed to have eye contact with him.
Ali couldn't bare to look at his master right now though he would have to tell him eventually, he took one look at Jack and nodded without saying another word. "Very well Ali, you are dismissed".Ali nodded to Jack as he left for his room.