***SCHOOL'S OUT! *insert the hallelujah chorus here* So there shall be more writing time. On an unrelated note, you kinda have to read Sibling Rivalry to understand things from here on out. If you haven't read it, then go do that (and please review while you're at it) before continuing this. For those who have read it, know that I own nothing. I'll also be shutting up now.

Chapter Four: The Darkness Is The Light

Oh, my head...

It took a few moments, but everything came into focus. That lead to the burning question: where in the halibut am I? Seriously, it's like a broken-down casino with the broken/flickering/combination of both lights and the damaged roulette wheel. And other stuff too.

Now, I would've gotten up to investigate if I wasn't tied to a chair. Whoever the kidnapper is, then he/she must really love movies. I muttered some bad things under my breath.

"Ah-ah-ah! No foul language from the princess," a voice teased. In front of me now stood the likely kidnapper. He was tall, extremely skinny, had pale skin, and had messy black hair too. What stood out was his eyes, though. Cold and blue, merciless to say the least.

This mystery man really got a kick out of my struggle. "Who are you?" I asked. "My name is Malcom Skellington. That ringing a bell?" Malcom asked. I thought for a moment. "Nope."

Malcom somewhat stifled a wicked grin. "Okay. But I know you very well, my little niece. Very well," he said. Okay, this was officially getting freaky. "Prove it. My name is?" I asked.

"Wren Skellington."

"Age?"

"19 or 20."

"How many years ago did I go missing on Halloween night?"

"'bout five."

"Does everyone think I'm dead?"

"They called it at a town meeting a while back."

"...impressive."

Wren zero, Malcom one.

His laughter was a pain of a reminder that he'd won. "Ah, shut up!" I snapped at last. "Someone's an irritable little ragdoll after her nap," Malcom remarked. Well, that was the last stitch. "Thank God that my dad's the Pumpkin King and not you," I said.

"He shouldn't be! Him being the king is injustice! So if you want to keep your limbs in tact, then you wiill never make another crack like that ever again!" Malcom yelled suddenly. I shrank back in my chair.

Malcom took a few breaths to calm down. "Sorry, kid. For most of my life, everyone's favored my little brother. Why else do you think I live in Oogie Boogie's old lair? Jack-and everyone else-would easily be able to push me out of memory," he explained. Then he stood closer to me. "You know my story. Now tell me yours."

I sighed. This had been bottled up for a while now. If Malcom had accepted such a past, then he might as well accept mine too. Fine. So I began speaking:

"It wasn't hard to see that Mom and Dad weren't too happy with me. They never really were okay with the fact that I wasn't exactly head-over-heels in love with Halloween. It didn't sit too well with the holiday council either. Mom and Dad tried to keep their opinions on the down-low, but that was a fail. Did they think I was deaf to their conversations about me?

And if being a disappointmed wasn't bad enough, try being a lonely disappointment. I was alone all day almost year-round. Whenever Mom and Dad were around, they didn't really talk that much. Y'know how it feels trying to have a casual conversation with someone you just met? That's what it felt like on both ends most likely. At least, it was like that on my end.

What really broke the last stitch was what happened on the night before five Halloweens ago. Mom and Dad were less oblivious to my presence, especially during their fights. Although I wasn't really connected so well with them, I didn't want to tear apart their marriage. So on the following Halloween night, I snuck off to the Human World, reverted into a human, and never went back. Until now.

And no one lived happily ever after. The end." Two emotions went through me during that story: sadness and anger.

Malcom thought for a few moments. Then a faint determined smile played onto his lips. "You want revenge. I want revenge. You know Jack as his daughter. I know him as his brother. That bonehead's caused up both trouble. What do you say we work together and tear him down? Sound like a plan to you?" he asked. He cut free one of my hands and extended his hand.

I thought for several moments. My loyalty was always a confusing subject. Mom and Dad were kind of neglectful. Malcom, although a tad wicked and mildy strange, at least paid some attention to my story. The decision was now set.

"I'm all in," I agreed. Malcom cut me free (at last!) and lead me away with an arm around my shoulders. "Now, let me show you how this would work," he began.

But something just didn't feel right here.

Hm...

***Well that was longer than expected. The chapter title was a lyric from "Disturbia" by Rihanna. I guess I'll see everyone on chapter five. Please review and bye!