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Alright, as promised, I got two more reviews and here is the next chapter. I wrote the whole story out on paper, so updates should be more frequent hopefully. Here you go. (flashback! YEY!)


Jack remembered Jake's first Halloween. Jack was so proud of his little family. Especially little Jake, who was already showing early signs of being just like his dad. Sally said that the age of one was too young to attend a scaring, but Jack disagreed. So, Jack had, well, stole was such a harsh word. He had taken Jake without Sally's permission while Sally was baking Halloween cookies.

"You're going to love this!" he told little Jake as he was on his shoulders. Jack had been a little worried. The place looked terrifying. There were cobwebs scattered everywhere.Slime and mold was oozing through the cobble stones beneath their feet. And the citizens looked horrifying. In short, it was a spectacular Halloween. Then Jack spotted the mayor.

"Jack, you need to get into your...what is that?!" the mayor exclaimed. "Oh, this is my little son Jake. I brought him along. I hope thats not a problem..." said Jack. "But, Jack, how will you light yourself on fire if you're watching your son? Why don't you give him to Sally?" the mayor suggested nervously. "Yes, why don't you?" Jack whirled around and saw Sally standing there, holding Samantha and tapping her foot. She did not look happy. "Sally! I uh, that is to say..."Jack stammered. He'd only seen Sally angry once before, and it had been terrifying. And he was the Pumpkin King.

Sally gently took Jake out of Jack's hands. "We'll talk about it later." she said sweetly, but Jack knew he was in trouble. He watched his family during the celebrations, out of the corner of his eye socket. Sam buried her head in her blanket, she never was a scarer. Took after her mother. Sally had watched with a smile, and was busy trying to calm Sam down. Jake loved it. He actually clapped with his tiny bony hands afterwards. Later, when Jack finally got through to his family through the throngs of people, Jake climbed up on his father's shoulders, and threw his arms up, imitating Jack's manical laugh and scary expression to a tee. Even the proud Pumpkin King had to admit it was good.

Back at home, Sally had been very angry at Jack for not consoling her before taking Jake to the scaring. But Jack thought it was well worth it.


'Why is Jack just sitting there staring at him?' Sally thought to herself. Jack usually could not stay in one place for very long without fidgetting. He had been acting very strange since his 39th birthday. (that may not be chronologically correct, but its my fanfic, so there) Sometimes Sally wondered if Jack was really all there. Especially if he had an idea. That would be all he could think about for days. But, Jack just sat there, looking at Jake. Sally could've sworn there was a tear in those black eye sockets. Finally, Jack turned to her and said, "I'm kinda tired. I think I want to rest for a while."

He wheeled over to her and waited for her to open the door. Jack was slumped in his seat. While Sally pushed him down the hall, he suddenly said, "I could have saved him."

"You did Jack." Sally said reasuredly. "No. I could have gone through those flames. You should have seen his face. He was so brave. He didn't scream or yell or cry when the beam fell. He closed his eyes, and his face was so calm. Like he was ready to go." Jack said.

"You talk like he's dead." Sally said. Jack was scaring her. "Soon, he will be." Jack said solemnly. They reached his room. Jack slowly lifted himself out of the chair and climbed into his bed.

"The last thing he said to me was 'I Hate You.'" Said Jack. "I never got to say goodbye. I never told him how much I loved him. I never told him how proud I was of him. And now he'll never know. Sally, he didn't deserve to die." Jack said, blinking back tears. "I know Jack." she really couldn't say much more than that. Jack pulled her into the bed with him. He held Sally in his arms, gently stroking her hair.


There you go. Next chapter is very important. Really important. So I won't post it until three reviews. Sorry to be like that, but I like suspense. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW ...