Summary: The world became cruel towards Marnie Cromwell and family after the danger passed. Hurt, angry, and hateful, she moves to Halloweentown. Watch her change as she meets an old friend who might have the key to putting her heart back together...and making those who broke it pay.

Disclaimer: Je ne possède pas Halloweentown, mais toutes les personnes d'orginal, endroits, et les événements sont les miens. Là. Je l'ai dit. Maintenant vous ne pouvez pas me poursuivre et vous ne pouvez pas déchirer outre de ce qui est le mien sans permission. (French lessons at school pay off, see? It says: I do not own Halloweentown, but all original people, places, and events are mine. There. I said it. Now you can't sue me and you can't rip off what's mine without permission. Oh…the skits and quotes are usually mine, too.

Authoress' (Defensive) Note: What? I find disclaimers annoying. I may as well have some fun annoying the site by making them read different languages until they see the English translation. Besides…if someone is going through the site looking for disclaimers, they need a life. I may as well have some fun with it if I absolutely have to have one. Besides, who reads the disclaimer anyways?

Authoress' (Real) Note: Ok. So, how was the last chapter? I'm not sure how good it was. I personally liked it, but I'm not sure if it's good or if the chars are out of character…so I was wondering…would anyone want to be a beta reader for me? Please? Today is going to be an unexpected surprise!

Emma Raven Moony Grimm: You, you, you…you are my goddess! You're my only loyal reviewer, so this one is for you alone! Please tell me if you like it, hate it, or think it could be better. Comments, criticisms and suggestions are always welcome.

On with the show…because the show must go on…

Luke: No, it doesn't.

Me: Shut up! You're not EVEN in this story yet.

Luke: I know. That's what I came to say! Put me in already! You're putting in KAL-outraged and disgusted-, Aggie –calm about that-, and SOME MYSTERY CROMWELL IN -thinks he plays a bigger part then Dylan, and wonders how on Earth he's not in it when Dylan is-, WHY NOT ME?

Me: Shush up already, will ya? You already wrecked my surprise!

Luke: No I won't! And serves you right!

Me: If you're not nice, I won't put you in at all.

Luke: Oh fine...-sighs and acts nice- Put me in, please?

Me: Oh alright! But it's a silent part!

Luke: Thank you! Oh, and Christine, you're madder then the hatter.

Me: I know! Isn't it soooo wonderful? And by the way, it's CATTY! -irate looking-

Luke: -gulps and runs off, shoulders slumping, incoherent curses about mad authoresses coming from his fleeing figure-

Me: I heard those! -throws a lightning bolt at-

Luke: -jumps and runs faster, while over his shoulder- But you didn't understand what you heard…

Me: Go! Shoo! Don't you have some lines to memorize?

Luke: -turns and glares- No! I have a silent part, remember?

Me: -sneers- Oh yeah…and at the rate you're going, you'll lose that to…

Luke: -folds his arms across his chest- But I'm important to the plot!

Me: Says who? This plot isn't set in stone…it's going with the flow…why don't you GO, too? It's time to start the story…

Luke: Great. 'Scuse me, I have to go silently wave to Marnie…I mean…Chloe? -stalks off, shaking his head-

Me: Finally! We can start! Seriously! I, Catty, the great Authoress of the Idle, command the show to go on! Whoops…wrong time for that…seriously though…on with the show…

Title:

Driven

Chapter Number:

4

Chapter Title:

A Tide, A Trance And A Party

Movie:

Halloweentown Trilogy

Quote Time:

"Partying is like art. Like an art, it takes practice, and an open mind. But most of all, it's all about fun and personal meaning!"-Some Really Cool Art Professor, Talking About College Parties And Their Relationship To Art-

Chloe surveyed her reflection in the mirror. What would the people at the party say? Granted, the cranberry halter showed a bit of cleavage, but it wasn't too revealing… was it? She adjusted the ribbons that tied it around her back and neck, trying to seem less…provocative. Lord knows the skin tight black mini she wore was short enough (only coming to mid-thigh), tight enough (it was spandex…) and the slit that ran ¾ of the way up it on her right side didn't help the picture much. Neither did the knee high black suede boots she was wearing. In fact, with all that she had covered up, she looked even more revealing. Her legs seemed longer and well toned, her stomach seemed taut and served as a background for the ruby red jewels peeking out of her belly button in a peek-a-boo pierce. Half of her hair was straightened and braided, the other half curling in wild spirals. It was littered with cranberry streaks and silver glitter. Her blue eyes had been heavily accented with silver eyeliner and black mascara, and cranberry shadow lined her lids. Her lips, as usual, were tinted in their bright ruby shade. As she lined her arms with bangles and put on her earrings, she couldn't help but smile. This was her first real party in Halloweentown, and it was going to be a blast. Grabbing her black suede jacket off of a plush, overstuffed plum velvet armchair, she headed out the door. As she was walking down the street, she absently began to sing, as she was wont to do.

(A/N: Ok…sorry…here's another disclaimer for you…one I actually don't mind…This song is Lacuna Coil's. It's called Heaven's a Lie. I figured I'd slap the disclaimer in plain sight and tell you about the song all in one shot…-this is not the whole song-)

"Something wrong

With every plan of my life

I didn't really notice

That you've been here

Dolefully desired

Destiny of a lie

Set me free

Your heaven's a lie

Set me free with your love

Set me free…"

Fifteen minutes later found her glancing at her watch, the song long since having died. She was about three blocks away, and a half hour late, but already, she could hear music, loud and pulsing. The beats were soothing, nothing more then a vortex of white noise and the freefall of feeling that was spreading like languid fire through her body. Swaying slightly, she began to walk in step with the beat, hurried and desperate. As if in a trance, she walked, not even taking heed of the red haired goblin waving from across the street.

The closer to the party she walked, the louder the music became, and the stronger the trance-like hold and the spiral of emotions became. Mobs loitered in every direction, the party alive and sparkling with wild magick and a taste of wickedness. But Chloe was entranced. Voices were distant whispers, faces were blurred, and scents were random and intoxicating. Magick was crackling in the air, pulling at her own and drawing her in a certain direction. She wasn't sure where she was going, she didn't care. It felt so good, so right. She knew she was looking for something, someone, and that her magick was guiding her towards what she sought. Closing her eyes, she danced after her magick.

Her movements were slow and sensuous, harsh and frantic, seductive and wild…they were all of those things at once. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, and she gasped. Rubbing her heart through her shirt, she fought the urge to whimper at the sudden feeling of emptiness. Her delicious feelings had just been taken away from her, leaving her feeling empty and cold. Hugging herself, she looked around frantically. It had been close…oh, so close…where did it go so suddenly? And why did she no longer feel anything? Biting her lip, she blinked away the tears that longed to be shed. "What happened?" she shouted. The words were said to nothing but sky and the unresponsive ears of those around her. Sinking to her knees, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to that deliciously wicked torrent of emotions. Suddenly, strong arms circled her waist, and the lost emotions came back with all the force of a tsunami.