Just like I said, there's more! :D X3 You remember that I said Jack and Sally will end up together in the end? Well...THEY WILL!
If you don't like that and you don't like happy endings...BITE ME.
So here we go! :)
Three months to go until the big day was to come to pass.
Unfortunately, times were not so easy within the two lovebirds still. Of course, they still saw each other, occasionally accompanied by Marina (which also served to help them avoid temptation) or sometimes on their own. They continued writing letters, the same way as before, as well. Within all of this, they tried all they could to be cautious about expressing the love they had for each other. Yes, while they couldn't deny it or bury it completely, given that the cat was out of the bag, they did try to handle things in the most platonic ways they could.
But of course, even that sometimes fell through. Either they would hug for far too long, hold hands, snuggle (if they happened to be sitting somewhere fairly private), say sweet loving things to one another, and even occasionally would find themselves sharing a little kiss. Sometimes they were lucky (somewhat) and managed to stop themselves or were interrupted by some kind of third party, but even then it only fueled the fire for each other even more.
Much like today.
Jack, Sally and Marina were taking a walk together in the park near the Hinterlands. Despite the mild tension in the air, they were having a lovely little time as they talked about various things, with Marina telling funny stories that made Jack and Sally laugh, sometimes telling jokes, it was all fun.
But then, sneaky as Marina could be, or rather, painfully obvious, she "conveniently" went off to go get some staled Churros. Though she knew the two were having trouble, she couldn't help but still give them time alone.
A figurative sign that said Oh Dear... seemed to be held above them as the two were now left alone.
"Well...I for one think that the less we know about this being, the better." Sally said, doing all she could to keep their conversation going.
"Because the more you know, the sooner he'll come after you?" Jack teased lightly, raising a would-be eyebrow.
"Perhaps." Sally smiled. "It seems to come off that way, doesn't it?"
"Terrifying enough as it is, and yet trying to learn about it is dangerous." Jack surmised, and chuckled. "That certainly is one twisted legend."
A little laugh escaped Sally before she looked up at him with a smile. "As twisted as everyone else in this town?"
"Maybe." Jack shrugged, chuckling again. He reached over and gently held her hand, especially since because there was no one within sight who could see them. He smiled more as she squeezed his hand back. "Are you all right, Sally?"
"Huh?" Sally blinked, perplexed at his question. "Oh, yes. I'm just fine. Why do you ask?"
"No, I meant..." Jack looked over to the side a little, letting the sentence hang.
In the past week and a half, both had avoided directly bringing up their mutual feelings, at least not directly, whenever they met with each other somehow. While they seemed okay upon seeing one another and through their letters, it did still concern Jack quite a bit. Especially since he could never get the image of Sally crying and looking at him with pleading, longing eyes out of his skull. Seeing her cry like that, even at all, and even somewhat being the cause of it made his bones shatter, as well as his heart, if he had one.
"...Oh...oh, yes...I'm all right." Sally looked downward, finding the cobblestone path they were walking on suddenly to be more interesting. "Don't worry about me, Jack...it's nobody's fault."
A sigh escaped Jack, and he squeezed her hand a bit tighter. "None the less, you deserve far better than that. You're a wonderful woman, and I know all the more that any man would be so lucky to have you. I...I already feel like the luckiest skeleton in the world...having you...feel that way."
Sally blushed. "No...Jack...I'm the lucky one...to have you love me."
Unable to help himself, Jack smiled and chuckled a bit. "All right, so I guess we're both lucky. ...And yet, unlucky, as well."
"That's true..." Sally said, and looked over to see a bench sitting at the edge of the path. "Um...do you want to sit down, while we wait for Marina to catch up?"
"Certainly." Jack smiled a bit more, and helped her sit down, before taking a seat beside her. "Sally...I am sorry for bringing that up, of course. I only wanted to see if you were all right. Though...I suppose that's a very stupid question, isn't it?" He said it more as a statement than a question.
Wide-eyed, Sally shook her head, and scooted closer to him. "No...no. Don't say that, Jack. ...I think it's very thoughtful of you...to want to make sure I'm okay. Um...but what about you? Are you all right?"
A sad smile came to Jack's skull, and he squeezed her hand gently. "I'd like to tell you that all is well in that regard. Unfortunately, I would be lying."
Sally's heart broke. He was truly suffering just as much as she was. "Oh, Jack..." Unable to help it, she lay her head on his shoulder.
His eye sockets widened at her sweet gesture, but Jack made no attempt to move away or push her off. Instead, he brought his arm around her waist and brought her closer, laying his skull against her head. Oh dear Sally...I long for you so much. I only wish I could just screw the rules and make you my wife.
The two sat this way until they saw Marina heading toward them in the distance. Since she was paying attention to eating her Churro, they managed to separate from each other and sit on the bench as if they had been sitting that way all along. After she caught up with them, that was when they decided to head on home. Jack of course offered to walk the girls home, since the Finkelstein residence wasn't far from the park. Being the gentleman he was, it was no surprise he would offer such a thing.
"Thanks for walking us home, Jack!" Marina smiled as she curtsied, just to be polite.
"Yes, thank you..." Sally blushed a bit, and brought her hands behind her back.
"Oh, no need to thank me, ladies." Jack said bashfully, but smiled widely. "It's my pleasure! And of course I wanted to make sure the two of you got home safely." He kissed Marina's hand, and then turned toward Sally...unsure of what to do next.
"I'll see you inside, sis." Marina winked at her sister and then headed into the house, closing the door behind her.
The two of them stood on the front step of the Finkelstein residence for what seemed like hours, despite that it was barely a minute or two. Jack was unsure of what to do. Just about every fibre of his bones wanted nothing more than to embrace Sally and shower her with love amidst saying goodbye. Then again, he felt keeping it simple but kind would be a better idea, especially since evading temptation was next to impossible with her. Only a tiny shred of logic was holding him back, and he wasn't sure whether to give in to the beautiful temptation, or to hold back from it. Keeping her at arm's length was impossible, though the right thing to do. Every kiss, embrace, physical contact they shared only served to make it harder and harder and harder to keep away from her.
This was when Sally pretty much solved the conflict for him. She came closer to him and brought her arms around his torso, laying her head against his chest. Jack felt his bones stiffen and tremble, and he knew the right thing would be to pull away. But no, he would never push her away. Instead he embraced her right back, immediately, and held her as close as he could. Yes, it was indeed going to fuel the fire even more, but at the moment, he didn't care. All he wanted was to hold the woman he loved, and just never let her go. Burying his skull into her soft, beautiful rusty red hair, he felt an immense relief and comfort as he took in her wonderful scent. Pumpkin spice, autumn, and even some kind of musk that he just couldn't help but like.
It was absolutely selfish of them...and they both knew it, and they knew that the other knew it. It almost hurt. Yet, the mutual desire for each other was softening to a point.
"Sally..." Jack murmured her name, oh, what a beautiful name...the most beautiful name in the world! "You are going to be the death of me..."
Sally only held to him tighter. "Aren't you already dead?" She said softly. It wasn't out of sarcasm...it wasn't like her, she was anything but that.
Jack chuckled at her little quip. "Then I suppose your work is done." He held her tighter as well, if that were possible.
This was torture. Absolute torture. The Gods of the Undead had to be screwing with him, and having a field day while doing it. They were dangling this gorgeous, irresistible creature right in front of him, just within reach, before yanking her away at any given time. Not only was it torture on himself, but he could see far too well that it was just as torturous, if not more so, on her. And that, was unforgivable. It was one thing to torture him, but her? This precious, wonderful woman of his wonderful nightmares? What was a tortured soul like him to do?
"I love you, Jack..." Sally murmured softly, now looking up at him tearfully. She didn't know what else to say, and could only think to tell him once more how much she loved him.
The heartbreaking feeling returned as Jack looked into her sad, pleading eyes. "I love you too, Sally...my dearest..."
And something inside him snapped.
Jack leaned down and kissed her, quite thoroughly. She writhed in his embrace, but kissed him back, her fingers digging into his spine.
A loud crash of thunder sounded, which broke the two apart almost immediately. Jack took this as his cue to get out of here...before he might regret what he would do next.
"You take care...okay?" Jack released her, reluctantly. "Will you?"
"...I-I will, Jack...and same to you." A single tear fell down Sally's cheek.
Jack melted, and lay his forehead against hers for a moment. "Come what may...I'll always love you."
"I-I'll always love you too, Jack..."
The two lingered, before Jack took a few steps back from her, waving at her. Sally waved back at him. The rain began to fall as Jack headed down the walk toward the front gate, glancing back only once. And then soon, he was gone.
It took all of Sally's strength not to weep.
During dinner the following evening, it was when Dr. Finkelstein dropped a bomb upon his daughters. Or, daughter and creation, rather. Despite that, it even surprisingly had more to do with Sally than Marina. But that of course meant it would likely be a little less favourable than one would hope.
Sally was nervous. She had a feeling it wasn't going to be good.
"Sally, it's about time you stopped your stupid silly fantasies about Jack. You should know by now it will never come to pass."
If colour could drain from Sally's face, it probably would be right now.
Marina looked down at her dinner plate guiltily at this. "Daddy...please, can't we just call this whole thing off? It's really not-"
"Marina, please." Dr. Finkelstein interrupted his daughter with utmost patience. "This is for her own good." He looked back at his creation. "Seeing as how you are now...among others as well, it seems that the only solution is to see to you finding a good man. Marina will take you to the country club tonight at eight, and you will meet some eligible men who will be willing to put up with you."
"But I..." Sally was about to protest.
"Dear, we think it would be best for you." Jewel said evenly.
"Ungrateful child...we finally let you out and you act as if we're dragging you to your execution! ...Which I should have done a long time ago." Dr. Finkelstein muttered.
"Daddy!" Marina said angrily. "Will you quit being so mean to Sally already? We get it! You don't like her, because she's not like me. Well guess what? That's what's great about her! She's NOT ME! She's Sally! No one else is Sally but her! And you are not forcing her to meet other men when she's clearly not ready for it!"
"Sweetheart, please calm down-" Jewel tried to reason.
"I'll take her to the Country Club, but only because I want to get her out of the house and to meet some new friends she made. If by chance she does meet a guy," She looked toward Sally meaningfully. "Then we'll go from there. But we are NOT going to make it our main objective. That's a lot of pressure, you know! If she does meet someone, it should happen naturally."
Dr. Finkelstein groaned, shaking his head. "Oh, all right."
"Sound good, Sally?" Marina gave her sister a strained smile.
"...Certainly." Sally said in a small voice, and pushed her plate aside, suddenly having no appetite.
"Look, it'll be fine. We'll go, we'll see our pals and have a good time." Marina assured. "No pressure."
Sally nodded a bit, and looked down at her lap. Try as I may...I'll never find someone I'll love like I love Jack...
Later that evening, as planned, Marina took Sally to the Macabre Country Club. Both were dressed quite nicely in dresses that Sally had made before, along with light makeup. Sally even had her hair tied into an intricate bun, supported by two chopsticks, and a bat bow tied onto her head.
Marina was a member of the club, and managed to get Sally a Visitor's Pass, and soon they were inside.
It was fairly crowded, with many others of the high society neighbourhoods of town, drinking blood wine and other such rich beverages. Disturbing but melodious music was playing with some of the members dancing upon the tile dance floor that was nearby, whilst others stood around talking to each other, playing cards, or admired the artwork hanging around. Marina and Sally went over to where they saw Bonejangles and Emily sitting on barstools. Emily was a member, so it seemed she brought Bonejangles along with her. With them also was Spencer, who was serving up drinks at the bar. Very reminiscent of the way they'd be at the Black Cauldron together.
"I felt we needed a change in scene, I suppose." Emily said when the girls sat down with them.
"Booze is the same everywhere, really." Bonejangles shrugged, taking another sip of his drink.
"Haven't you had enough?" Spencer raised an eyebrow.
Marina beamed happily at her lover, reaching over to touch his hand. "You know the answer to that all too well, sweetheart."
Spencer chuckled. "I suppose that's very true."
Emily rolled her eyes, and turned toward Sally. "You feeling all right, love?"
Sally smiled sadly, nodding. "I'm all right. Thank you for asking, Emily."
"You don't look it at all." Emily looked at her knowingly, placing her skeletal hand on her shoulder.
It made Sally shiver lightly, reminding her all too well of-
"And you can be honest with me, love. I know of your situation." Emily added, looking at her with compassion and empathy, along with a sad smile. "It's very unfortunate, isn't it?"
A small sigh escaped Sally as she looked down at her drink, which she hadn't touched. "Mm-hmm..."
"The only solace is knowing he loves you, as well."
"Yes...that's true."
Emily yet again looked at her with empathy. "I know well how you feel, love."
"...Do you?" Sally looked at her curiously.
The corpse bride nodded. "Though I am free, and though I let him go, it pains me still. I love him still."
Sally looked at her with mild surprise, and feeling her own sense of concern and sympathy wash over her. "I'm...so sorry to hear that. ...Where is he now?"
"The Land of the Living." Emily pointed upward. "Where he is now married to his wife. I...had my dreams taken away, but I could not do that to another. They say that when you truly love someone...you let them go. If they come back to you, they're yours forever. ...If they don't, they were never meant to be yours to begin with." She said this with sadness.
The weight of Emily's words weighed down on Sally as she looked down at the bar. Loving someone enough to set them free when you knew you had to do certainly had to be a tough decision to make. Truly for the better? Not for one's heart, but in the bigger picture, very likely.
"Anyway," Emily then said, interrupting the rag doll's train of thought. "I shouldn't have said such a downer thing, love. To look on a...rather brighter side of things, consider this. ...Love finds a way."
Sally repeated this phrase to herself, and shook her head a bit. "Thank you, Emily...could you excuse me? I'm going to get some air."
"Of course, love." Emily nodded, and turned back over to Spencer as he addressed her.
"I'll be back, Marina." Sally told her sister, who nodded, and she got off her stool.
She went outside through a glass door, coming out onto a terrace. Sally looked over the stone ledge, heaving a sad sigh, leaning over a bit as she cupped her head in her hands. Her eyes caught something, and she looked to her left.
Skellington Manor.
It was far away in the distance, but she could still see it clearly as it silhouetted hauntingly against the moon. She couldn't help but wonder where Jack was, what he was doing.
"Oh, Jack..."
The door opened behind her, and she could hear heavy footsteps coming toward her, which made her shudder a bit.
"Hello, my dear. Whatever brings you outside on such a chilly night?" Came a suave, daunting voice.
Sally turned around, and came to face Lord Barkis Bittern. The same man she had met at the ball, who had tried to dance with her when she had refused. "...Lord Barkis?"
"That is I, my dear." Barkis chuckled. "I had seen you come out here, and I had wanted to take this moment to offer you a sincere apology. You see, it was unfair of me to put that pressure on you that night at the ball. I was not thinking clearly, and I was wrong for trying to pressure you. I am sorry."
"O-Oh..." Sally blinked, unsure of what to say. He seemed genuine enough, so it relieved her a bit. "I...I understand, Lord Barkis. It's all right."
Barkis smiled, and then kissed her hand. "Thank you, my dear. I'm very glad to see that it is water under the bridge. Now then! You still had not answered my question. Why is a lovely maiden such as yourself out here on a cold night?"
"Oh...I only wanted some air, sir." Sally turned away shyly. She could see that he was trying to sweet-talk her, but she just didn't feel the same sparks and happiness at all. When Jack spoke so warmly and sweetly to her, it sent shivers up her spine and sparked such happiness.
"Mmm...you seem troubled." Barkis observed. "Tell me, is a man giving you grief? I certainly hope not. A beautiful, exotic creature such as yourself should never have to go through that."
A blush tinted Sally's cheeks as she looked at the ground. "It's nothing you need to concern yourself over, Lord Barkis."
"Nonsense. A poor little gem such as you need not worry." Barkis stepped over to her, tilting her chin upward gently. "You know what you need? A nice comfortable room, a glass of Chardonay in hand, and nice company. What say you, M'Lady? I shall gladly grant you a lovely luxury." He bowed to her.
"O-Oh...no no...you certainly don't have to, Lord Barkis. I couldn't accept that." Sally said quickly, shaking her head.
"Nonsense! I insist, my dear lady." Barkis held a hand to her. "It would be my pleasure offering this to a fine lady such as yourself. I insist, please. Don't you make me beg now!" He laughed at his own joke.
Blushing all the more, Sally decided that maybe...this could be of help. Yes, she did feel that he was kind of...odd, but he was being kind, genuine, and very helpful. Maybe she could do for something like this. So, with a small smile, she took his hand. "All right. I suppose a little while couldn't hurt."
"Of course, my dear." Barkis nodded, and then led her back inside.
He went toward a set of doors in the back area of the large reception room, coming to some stairs. Marina had told Sally before that many of the members had their own private rooms where they would sometimes retire to be on their own or entertain a guest or two. They were beautifully accommodated, containing several sofas and chairs, a couple of beds, a mini bar, and luxurious bathroom.
Barkis had a room on the fourth floor, which he led Sally into. Sally was, needless to say, very nervous. She could see he was nice and kind, but there was a part of her that didn't trust him. There was just something off about him, though he didn't show it.
"Have a seat, my dear." Barkis indicated to the sofas.
Sally nodded, and mutely complied as she sat down on one of the larger sofas.
Barkis then proceeded to pour them both a glass of wine from the bar, Sally not once seeing the superiority smirk on his face.
Downstairs, Marina had noticed Sally leaving the room with...what looked to be Lord Barkis Bittern. She was surprised. Sally was getting to know another man already? No...this didn't seem like her at all. She was never one to get over something this big so quickly.
Marina turned back to Spencer. "Darling...did you see Sally leave with Lord Barkis just now?"
Spencer nodded. "I did, in fact."
"Wait a moment." Emily suddenly said. "Did you just say that Sally left with Barkis?"
"Yeah. Why?" Marina blinked.
"You mean, you don't know?" Bonejangles looked a bit surprised. "Surprised you never knew, Mar."
"What do you mean?" Now Marina was a bit worried.
"Lotsa people won't believe this. Real sad, if you ask me." Bonejangles said, shaking his skull. "Barkis is known to be a womanizing heartbreaker. 'Specially to young, pretty, vulnerable women. Emily over here's been a victim of that."
Emily sighed sadly to confirm that it was true.
"Yep, not a real pretty picture." Bonejangles went on. "Yer sister's pretty, naive, trusting, beautiful even, and right now, what with being in love with a man she can't have...she's real vulnerable. He's like a shark swimmin' through water, and she's like a drop of blood in the water."
Marina's eyes widened, and her dead pale face seemed to widen with fear. "No...no...you can't mean..."
"Even I never knew this...and I'm a bartender." Spencer said, shaking his head.
"Wouldn't lie to ya, Mar. I've seen what this man can do." Bonejangles said, shaking his skull again. "And now yer sister is next. He always takes them to his room here in this club."
"No...! No! No! I won't let him!" Marina stood up quickly and hurried out of the room.
Unfortunately, she didn't even know what room number or floor Barkis was on.
"Well, I suppose I..." Sally sipped the wine he had given her, just to be polite, and made a face at its awful taste. She didn't like it.
"Hush, my dear. No need to talk." Barkis then smirked suggestively, and leaned toward her, puckering his lips.
Sally's eyes widened, and she set her chalice down, scooting back from him. "W-What are you doing...?"
"I am about to bestow a lovely kiss upon your luscious, perfect lips, my dear." Barkis said, scooting toward her. "Now please, come here..."
"N-No! I'm sorry, but no...I'm not ready for that." Sally scooted back again, coming to the arm of the couch. "Please."
"Shhh..." Barkis took her hand, pulling her toward him. "It's all right, my dear. Just close your eyes, and allow this wonderful feeling of true love overtake you."
Sally squirmed and turned her head away as he came toward her again. "No! Please, let me go..."
"Kiss me! I demand that you stay still!" Barkis demanded, grabbing her by both arms. He then smirked. "Consider yourself lucky, my dear. Not many women will catch my eye. Please, just settle yourself and kiss me."
Once again she shook her head and pushed him away. "I said no...! I don't want this, Lord Barkis...please understand." Sally then stood up, backing away. "Please..."
"You're not making this any easier on yourself, my dear." Barkis stood, stalking toward her. "Now stay still, and kiss me, you wretched doll!" He ground out angrily.
"No!" Sally backed away again.
"You're trying my patience..." Barkis warned, advancing upon her again.
"Stop this! Please!" Sally begged, terrified now.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll stop where you are." Barkis warned yet again.
"N-No! Please, stop!" Sally scurried behind one of the couches.
"You're coming with me!" Barkis roared, grabbing her arm.
Sally yanked her arm back, but he held on. "No I'm not!" With one last effort, she undid the stitches in her arm, causing her to break away from him, and leave Barkis holding her severed arm.
Barkis only laughed. "You're pathetic...a scared little girl just begging to be loved...but I'm not good enough for you, am I? Oh no, not unless I'm that wretched Prince... Well, I'm afraid you have no choice but to succumb to me now, my dear. For I have this." He held up her arm, which seemed to quiver in fear.
Sally, having fallen to the floor, now looked up at him with scared, wide eyes. She crawled backward, trying to maintain her balance, despite now only having one arm.
SMACK!
Barkis had slapped her with her own arm, across the face.
"Now you will stand! Bow to me!" Barkis demanded. "Otherwise your body will come apart, little by little...and then, perhaps...a bonfire will be in order... Either way, I shall see to it...that your precious Jack...be the one to suffer most. After all, that pathetic worthless fool...is nothing but a pile of dead, dirty bones..."
The look of fear on Sally's face then changed to a look of ferocity. Gathering her strength and courage, she controlled her severed arm to poke Barkis in the eye, very roughly. He cried out and grabbed at his face, dropping her arm in the process.
Grabbing her arm, Sally then shoved him against the wall, which caught him off guard. She backed away again, toward the door, and managed with utmost ferocity,
"I am not that kind of girl, Barkis...and if you talk badly of Jack ever again...you'll be sorry."
She then hurried out of the room, slamming the door behind her, and managing to run out into the hall. Due to her imbalance, fear, and utter dismay, Sally fell to the floor on her knees, trembling. It was then that she heard someone running toward her, despite that the flooring was carpeted.
"Sally! Sally! Oh my gosh, Sally!"
Looking up tearfully, she could see Marina running toward her. She knelt down beside her, holding her tightly.
"Sally...oh, Sally...I'm so sorry...are you all right?"
Unable to reply, Sally wept. She just couldn't do this anymore. She was tired of pretending. Tired of hiding. The only one she loved, the one she wanted, was Jack.