Kismet stood behind a corner very still. He didn't need to breathe, but the tension was there regardless. He knew someone was looking around the area, searching for him…
"Hey-ya!" Came a cheery voice from nowhere. To his side appeared a girl's head, brown hair in a high ponytail with a small braid down one side of her face. The braid partially covered a swirly tattoo on her face.
"Hello Cessation." Kismet said calmly, as if he'd almost been expecting a head to randomly show up. "You know, now isn't exactly the best time."
"Why not?" The girl replied casually, the rest of her body appearing beside him. She was enveloped in a dark cloak like Kismet's, having a skull-pin near the top.
In the wall behind the two of them, a large head pushed through above their heads, covered with a shadowy hood. Long white hair hung out in places. The head looked down and smiled, a large grin filled with sharp teeth.
"He's why." Kismet continued, not quite as calmly, looking up.
"Oh…." Cessation said in a smaller voice.
They both ran as the head, belonging to Xellos, crashed down upon where they'd just been standing. Robes like darkness flowed around him as he regained himself while exiting the wall, and went after them. The hunt was on.
"Well, well;" Xellos said, his words echoing to the fleeing duo, "what have we here? Two little reapers wandering around the badlands." He laughed menacingly. "They should know that it's dangerous to stray into wolf country."
"In case you haven't noticed," Cessation called back mockingly, "anything looks small compared to you!"
"Cessation," Kismet said testily, "I do not believe now is a time for such comments about his size."
"All the better to catch you with." Xellos replied darkly, followed by another laugh.
They wove around and through the buildings, but had no luck loosing Xellos. They had been in this kind of situation before, but so had he. Xellos always grinned when in a chase – it broke up the usual boring atmosphere that hung around and it was something he was generally very good at. Cessation also appeared to be having fun, even though she was on the short end of the stick should they get caught. Kismet seemed to be the only one who wasn't enjoying himself.
As the two reapers hid for a moment, Kismet said, "It's not worth the effort to stay at this anymore; let's go."
"But…" Cessation started to protest, partially thinking of Kismet's job which she had assumed he was trying to do, mostly thinking of her 'fun.' However, Kismet gave her a look; one that said 'we'll talk about it later.' They disappeared into the air, leaving nothing behind.
Xellos glimpsed them as they vanished. He could follow if he was really intent on continuing, but he decided not to. After all, he wasn't allowed to actually eat them if they were from the local area. He didn't believe the girl was 'local', per say, but she appeared often enough to make it seem like she was. Besides, it was better not to take the chance with Heathcliff. They 'helped the research' or some other silly excuse like that. Xellos shrugged to himself – maybe now he could go back to locating that girl.
Kismet and Cessation were now on the roof of a tall building. It was in a city, Cessation's assigned area. This structure was condemned, though nothing had been done about it for months, and was empty.
"Ok," Cessation said, curious, "weren't there any souls for you to take care of?"
"I was just checking around." Kismet replied.
"Right…" Cessation continued doubtfully, somewhat overlooking his indirect answer, "Then why were you there so long? Mr. Big and Bad was obviously after you before I got there, and you can usually avoid him for a while."
Kismet sighed. "I was watching out for Jack." He said.
Cessation blinked. "Jack? You mean… the Jack?
Kismet rolled his eyes; he should've expected as much. "Jack Skellington; yes."
A huge smile spread accross her face of surprise and excitement. "He was really there? Did you show him around? Did he get any new ideas?" she bombarded, "Did he scare anyone?"
"Cessation!" Kismet scolded, annoyed – she was like a sister to him, but her fangirl-like episodes when Jack was even mentioned got tiring. Jack was her idol, fair enough, but she didn't need to quiz him on Jack's life whenever he mentioned seeing him, which Kismet tried to avoid bringing up around her.
"Sorry," She said, still grinning widely, "but…. you know – he's awesome!"
"I didn't invite him, he came on his own. Besides, it's not a good thing if Jack's there; you know that." Kismet continued seriously, "There are some things even the Pumpkin King shouldn't involve himself with."
"I know…" Cessation pouted, folding her arms.
"Now, I don't think Jack found anything," Kismet said, "but I only found him after he'd gotten inside."
Cessation couldn't help putting a small smug smile on. "See? Even you didn't know he was there for a while." She said smugly. "I bet Xellos never-"
"Actually," Kismet interrupted, "he was the reason Xellos was after me, this time." he added, "I was keeping Xellos off Jack's back while he went back home."
"Aww…" Cessation cooed, hugging Kismet, "See? You do care."
Kismet just sighed – sometimes he wondered if Cessation even really paid attention to what he said when he talked.
* * * * * * * *
A figure with long black hair reaching down his waist stood among some trees. He wore the black cloak of the Death race, and was alone. For the moment.
Then, another cloaked figure stepped out of the shadows, hood drawn far overhead. The black-haired one turned around, facing the other figure, revealing skin as white as bone. He smiled.
"Ah, Council members;" now there were more hoods standing around him, "what a pleasant surprise." His voice slid out like honey, showing nothing but pleasure.
"Good evening." one of the members said somewhat coldly.
"What are you doing?" another asked.
"Me?" The black-haired one said innocently, "I'm simply checking on my duties as a reaper." The stoic figures around him said nothing. "Why?" He asked slyly, looking around at them, "Do you suspect me of something?"
"It is our duty to periodically check on you, after your relocation." One member stated.
"You know as well as we do that leaving you to your own devices for too long is unwise." Another continued.
The black-haired one put a cold, white hand on his chest. "I'm touched by your kindness, but it really is unnecessary."
"Past experiences have shown otherwise." The figure in front of him said.
"Then I thank you all for the concern about me." He gave a small bow. Not one of them could tell if it was in mockery or not. "But I assure you, I have changed." He spread his arms out. "You may look for yourselves if you wish; I'm not hiding."
It was silent for a few moments. "That's what worries me…" one finally muttered, though not very loudly. One by one the Council disappeared. The first one that appeared was the last to go, nodding to him before vanishing.
The smile on his face spread into a grin once he was alone again, and he let out some low chuckles. "The old fools…." Yes, they were obviously suspicious, but not nearly enough to actually act on anything. He laughed again, louder. Things were going so incredibly smoothly, it was almost getting boring.
A raven came flying over to him then, seemingly ordinary except for the fact of having four red eyes. It landed on the arm he outstretched, and cawed a greeting. Soon enough, however, things would get more interesting; much more interesting…
* * * * * * * *
Sally walked into the library the next day to find Jack pouring over papers strewn out in front of him. "Jack…" She started hesitantly, "what are all these for?"
Jack looked up. "Hm? The papers? Oh, nothing much." He said carelessly, casually slipping a few papers under a book, "Simply plans, things for this year's Halloween."
Sally ran her hand over some books, not really looking at them. "You know, you were gone a long time last night."
"Was I?" he asked absently, "I guess I let the time get away from me."
Sally cast her eyes down. "Usually you at least let me know when you're going to be out – I was worried for a while."
Jack got up and went over to her. "Sally, I didn't mean to do that. I had gone out earlier and thought I'd get back sooner." He took her hand in his and she looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I would never try to make you worried."
"I know…" Sally continued, "and usually it wouldn't bother me. But Jack, I've been starting to have these bad feelings lately..."
Just then a scream echoed through the house; someone was at the door.
"It's probably the Mayor." Jack said, "I better go make sure his head is still on" He kissed her head before going to the door.
Jack opened the door and sure enough, the Mayor had plans in hand and a smile waiting.
"Jack! Just who I needed – can you go over some plans with me? Need to make sure they're in top terrifying shape."
"Of course Mayor, why don't you come in?" Jack said.
As the Mayor stepped forward, he dropped a paper. He bent over to pick it up, and a dart came from behind him and hit his posterior.
"OW!" The Mayor cried as he jumped, dropping more papers. His head switched to a frown as he turned around, glaringly searching for the source. The only thing he saw was the gate, but could hear giggling. He pulled out the dart, which didn't seem to have anything in it at least, and yelled into his megaphone, "I know you're out there! Come on out!"
"Why don't you make us?" Came the retort, from a hidden Lock. Then, three eggs pelted the Mayor. He growled and threw the dart at the trio as they ran away laughing.
"Those misfits have been causing more problems lately." He muttered as he gathered papers again, "They should either learn how to scare properly or stay in the Hinterlands!"
"Oh! That reminds me, Mayor," Jack said, "on my trip yesterday I found something that needs attending to – the Halloween Door is broken."
"What?!"The Mayor exclaimed, dropping his papers again, "How?" He held up his megaphone, "Sound the alarm immediately!"
Jack put a skeletal hand on the megaphone, "No, Mayor, it wasn't done recently; it looks like it's been that way for a few months. It should simply be taken care of."
"Oh…" The Mayor said disappointedly, "Well, why didn't anyone else tell me?"
"I've asked everyone to stay away from the Holiday Doors," Jack reminded him, "which means at least people are listening."
"Well, in that case…" The Mayor said, "I suppose we should find something to do about that. Now, what exactly do you mean by 'broken'?"
"Well," Jack said, "the door between Halloweentown and the human world is basically shattered-"
"The human world?!" The Mayor interjected, then raised his megaphone again, "Sound the ala-aaahh!" the Mayor yelled as he fell down Jack's steep stairs. Jack put a hand on his head – this might take a while.
* * * * * * * *
Another chapter! Bahahaha! It was bound to happen, sooner or later...
Merry Christmas! Hope you enjoyed this installment~
Be sure to leave a comment if you can, it helps me remember what I'm doing. :3
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