Hello, all! Shock backstory in this chapter is credited to my friend Corona Pax from Skeleton Anne. Once again I highly recommend it!
Artistgirl16: The Dracula flashback is Ivy reliving Quincey Morris' memories, but even though it's written as Ivy saying/doing things, she doesn't have any actual control over the sequence of events. I just found it much more fun to write than having Ivy in the backseat and focusing primarily on Quincey, who some readers may not be familiar with. The Creature is mad because not only is it kind of a town embarrassment- guys, we just lost a human mortal enemy, where did it even go- but it's pretty much classified, not openly discussed. Ivy should't have that information.
GoldGuardian2418: Thank you as always for your support!
CHAPTER 25
November 17
An Hour before Sunrise
Jack allowed himself an impressive five minutes before giving in and bending before the grave, whistling softly to call Zero. The ghost dog yipped happily before struggling upwards through the dirt to his new master- sure, the skeleton was slightly moody and oblivious, but he also had played fetch and was a never-ending supply of bones, so what wasn't to like?
Jack chuckled, patting the cold ground. "Much better that time! But I know you weren't truly resting, Zero," he chided. The dog let his ears flop as he curled inward, causing Jack to tsk and lean forward to scratch behind the drooping ears. "Oh, don't give me that look! As long as you do it when the Sun comes up, it'll be fine. Really, you're doing well for a new ghost."
Zero perked up once more, barking and turning a backflip at Jack's approval. He gave a rattling laugh in return, gesturing for Zero to try entering his grave once more. As the ghost's tail wormed beneath the ground, Jack allowed his smile to slip as he stood on creaky joints, casting his gaze around the barren graveyard.
Something, Jack decided, was off about the town.
He stood and turned back to the Gates, scanning his Town wearily. The moon hung low in the sky, yellow light illuminating the silver streets below. Monsters were preparing for the rest day, the low murmurs barely audible to even his scare-improved hearing. The sky was clear, and the dark silhouette of the forest was only broken by the waving of the trees in the gentle wind. The quiet and somber mood swirled in Jack's stomach, and he felt a new Gateway open nearby as reality shifted.
The mood broke as Zero leapt up from the grave once more, his excited barking breaking the cold stillness and causing the Gateway to disappear from existence.
"Much better," Jack allowed, a genuine smile etching across his face. Zero lapped the side of his face, and everything was so perfect and normal-
Then something changed in the air, and Jack's very core twisted.
The Pumpkin King snapped his head up, one hand absently pushing Zero from him. The Wind whipped around his head, and for once Jack had no trouble hearing the disembodied voice.
"-ANGER! DANGER!"
"Wind, where's it coming from?" Jack shouted, authority coloring his tone and causing Zero to wince at the fierce look on his leader's face.
"West Border! It's under attack!"
"The witches…" Jack muttered, sockets raising to a dark cloud slowly covering the once-clear night sky. The moonlight faded as the Shadow came out to see the commotion, until the whole Town was in utter darkness.
"Come, Zero!" Jack yelled, speeding back towards the town as the ground shook beneath him. "Wind, are the witches safe?"
"Affirmative. They have taken up an offensive position against the threat."
"Do we know…?"
"I'm sorry, Jack."
Jack felt his chest seize as he darted inside the Gates. "Edgar Nevermore!"
The raven guard appeared instantly, beady eyes assessing the situation with an ease Jack envied. "Should I set up the alert, Sir?"
"No, let me do that- just work on securing the Town!"
The guard nodded, pecking the necessary charms onto the scratched Gates, and Jack turned to Zero. "Get yourself inside somewhere!" The dog whined, eyes wide as he tried to press further into Jack's side, only to be pushed away. "I'm serious, Zero! I have to get everybody else inside before the storm hits! Can you do this for me?"
Unable to refuse Jack anything, the dog gave one final, mournful lick before darting into a side street. Jack allowed his shoulders to slump in relief before the Wind picked up, a sharp whistling making itself known to all monsters in Town. Jack bolted through the streets, grabbing any monster he could to pass the warning.
"Get inside!"
"Block the doors!"
"Make the necessary sacrifices!"
"There's a storm coming!"
"Jack."
The pumpkin king sheepishly let go of the Vampire's hand, trying to calm his voice. "Sorry about that, but, ah, you understand my urgency."
The four Vampires turned to Vlad, who was lazily scanning the sky, not seeming to mind the Wind whipping his cloak about. "Transform, all of you," he commanded. "It will be easier for us to see who is still on the streets."
"Don't get blown off course," Jack warned.
"Please," scoffed one of the other Vampires. "We've been doing this for centuri- AHHH!"
"Nice to see Karma is still active," Vlad mused as the Vampire was swept away by a wind gust. He hunched in on himself and transformed, sharp red eyes gazing critically at the rolling clouds that crept over the forest, growing larger with each passing second.
"Blow them back, Wind," Jack ordered, nodding a farewell to the bats and haphazardly slamming the door of a Citizen about to venture outside. "We need to buy time!"
"I will do all I can, Jack, but-"
"Jack! Jack!" A mummy came scrambling from a side alley, bandages unravelling.
"Ruth! What in the name of Halloween-" he collected the mummy's bandages as he spoke, only for the frantic monster to swat his hands away.
"We can't find the children! They were all playing Heads-Up or some nonsense, and now they've all vanished!"
Jack felt the ground drop from under his feet, and knew that if he were human he would have fainted. This couldn't be happening. They'd always been so careful, but if the children were missing-
"Where were they last?" He asked, addressing the crowd around him. "Has anybody seen them?"
"They were by Witch Tricks not long ago!" Somebody called, grasping a lampost as the Wind dove through the square, trying to push back the steadily advancing clouds.
"I thought I saw them by the scrap heap!"
"Finkelstein's Tower!"
"The top of Fleet Street!"
Jack put his hands to his skull and tried not to groan, but the voices were only getting louder and the clouds were getting closer and Father Above why couldn't he keep his town safe-
"Any monster without children, get yourselves or others inside and barricade the doors. If you have other little ones, try and locate them, but be smart! We don't have much time!"
The monsters grumbled but split up, streaking across the alleys and streets to locate the group. Jack darted towards Witch Tricks, casting out his awareness, desperately hoping that they were still here, that they hadn't-
"OW! What the hell, man?"
Jack had never thought he'd be so relieved to hear a human's voice. He closed his eyes and concentrated, turning around corners as he listened for-there! Her heartbeat, loud but still moderately calm. He descended down a set of stone stairs, hearing other voices behind a tin door-
"It doesn't look that bad."
"I'm sure the red will wash out!"
"Which red? The blood or…"
"I'm bleeding?!"
"Oh, stop whining, it's not my fault you humans are- AHHHHH!"
Normally Jack would have chuckled as the usually cocky Shock was humbled by his entrance, but the air pressure dropped and he braced his hands on the sides of the door, squeezing his sockets shut as he summoned the necessary authority.
"All of you, get back to your homes, now. This is non-negotiable. Shock, gather your cohorts and report to Town Hall- you are not to leave Town, any of you. This is a-" he cut himself off as he opened his eyes, taking in the scene for the first time.
The children were huddled in a semi-circle around the faux witch and the human, all staring in shock at the Pumpkin King. Ivy sat cross-legged, and Shock stood behind her, gleaming scissors just inches from Ivy's head.
"Hi, Jack," Ivy began nervously. "Uh- bad time?"
Shock dropped the scissors, her eyes going wide at the dark swirl outside the door. "Is that what I think it is?"
"All of you, out, NOW!" Jack slammed his hand into the door frame, causing the children to squeal and stream in different directions, like the rats in the sewers below. Shock and Ivy remained, though the latter was trying to peer past Jack. "What's going on, Jack? A storm has you spooked? I thought you guys weren't scared of anything-"
"You thought wrong," Jack snapped, barely noticing her recoil. "Shock."
The witch jolted, her fingers twitching nervously. "Where are Lock & Barrel?"
"We haven't seen them," Jack admitted, feeling his patience run thin, "but rest assured-"
"Rest assured what?" Shock yelled. "That it'll happen to them, too?"
"I am your superior, Shock," he warned. "Don't test me on this when I am only attempting to keep you safe!"
"I'm your ward," Shock retaliated, suddenly sounding very young. "You can't lie to me!"
"Hi," Ivy waved, her half-shorn head looking more ridiculous than ever. "I'm the very confused human. Anybody want to explain?"
"NO!" Shock & Jack snarled in unison, shooting Ivy twin glares that sent shivers down her spine. She stepped back, eyes narrowing at the dark sky outside, the seriousness of moment finally rattling her.
Jack gave Shock a final look of warning, before gripping Ivy's arm harshly and pulling her out the door. "Get yourself to cover, Shock!"
"Ow!" Ivy yelled, wincing as Jack's fingers dug into her bicep. "Jack, what the hell? Let me go!"
"Quiet, Ivy," Jack growled, barely glancing her way as he scanned the now yellow-green sky. The Wind's gusts were cold and sharp, a far cry from their normal gentle breeze. Jack felt the ground shake and mentally swore as Ivy lost her footing. Her hands slapped harshly against the rolling cobblestones, renewed fear coiling in her gut.
Jack wasted a precious moment hauling her to her feet, trying to not let his frustration bleed though as he set her back down on shaky legs. He bit back curses upon seeing the fear and confusion on her face, eyes wide as she started at the black streaks now coloring the sky.
"Jack?" She asked, her voice high and shaky, unconsciously pressing herself closer to his side in a way that had his chest aching. He ignored her unspoken question, unwilling to summon the energy necessary to cozen her.
Metal clanged as the Citizens locked down their houses, calling out words to Jack that made Ivy's head spin.
"Negative spirits spotted!"
"The trees by the West Border just went to their second grave!"
"Sulfur scents increasing!"
Ivy felt her panic swelling up again, combined with a frustration about not doing anything. What was wrong? How could she help? Was she in trouble?
"It's nothing with you, my dear," Jack responded to her incoherent murmurings. He turned suddenly, opening a dark red door door and shoving Ivy through. "Wait here until somebody comes for you. Don't open the door unless they say the motto. If you think you're in danger," he added with a veneer of nonchalance, "try reciting any prayer you know."
"I- prayer- what?" She stammered, looking around the small shed. "Wait, yo-you're gonna leave me?"
"It's just for a bit. You'll be fine. You're safe," Jack assured glibly, forcing himself to look away from her wide eyes. He slammed the door shut, scratching a pattern to seal it.
"Wait! Jack! Hold on!"
Ivy snapped back to her senses, throwing herself at the door. The shed was pitch black, and only the sounds of her frantic panting and the odd metallic screeches filled the air.
She sank to her knees, fighting for breath. Rationalize, part of her scolded. What use are you to them sniffling on the floor like a baby? That makes you weak. They don't want any weak humans around. Are you weak?
"N-no," she gasped. "I'm- I'm ok."
Unlikely, the voice sneered. Shove it down and freak out later.
Right.
Ivy closed her eyes and forced the panic down, refusing to acknowledge it. It wasn't real. She was totally fine, not freaking out after being locked in a shed by a sentient skeleton after the whole freaking town got scared and ha that was probably really, really bad if the symbols of fear were scared and god what choice did she have in any of this but hey at least she's locked in here, totally alone and totally fine-
"Hi," Shock bit out.
Ivy retained her scream, but just barely. The witch wiggled her way through a makeshift hole in the ceiling. "C'mon, human. We've got work to do!"
"We do?" Ivy asked weakly.
"Lock & Barrel aren't in Town," she snapped, her young face tight. She worried the hem of her dress between her fingers, beady black eyes darting around the room. "I've gotta find them."
"You mean, go out there? What do you need me for?" Ivy asked (definitely not in a high-pitched voice).
"You've got that board thing," the witch flippantly responded, hoisting herself back up through the hole. "And I'm light. So you're gonna take me out to the forest and help me find them."
"WHAT? No way!" Ivy yelled, backing against the wall as a dead frog fell through the hole. "It's nuts out there! It's- it's dangerous!"
"I don't have time for puny, scared humans," Shock sneered, laying down on her stomach and reaching one hand towards Ivy.
"And I don't need suicidal, pint sized witches getting me killed!"
"As much as I'd love to trade insults all day-" Shock sent a spell in the direction of the sky, and Ivy winced at the Wind tore around the shelter, "-I need to find my brothers. So I'll return the favor if you help me out."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" She scoffed, crossing her arms.
Shock looked Ivy straight in the eyes. "I'll go through a Gateway and deliver any message you want me to."
Utter silence filled the shelter, Ivy's arms falling limply to her sides. Images of home swarmed around her mind, her chest aching, as she tried to conceal her shock.
She straightened her back and held her hands up towards Shock. "Help me out of here."
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Shock may have been light, but she was an awful backseat driver.
"You missed the turn, idiot! We can't go down the main road; everybody's down there!"
"You're moving too much; I'm gonna fall."
"Can't you go any faster?"
"I am going," Ivy managed, "as fast as this damn road will let me. Maybe if you stopped blocking my airway, I could do better."
"Humans and air," Shock moaned, not loosening her death grip on Ivy's neck, her bony knees digging into Ivy's side. "It's so much better when you're dead and don't have to worry about these things!"
"I'll take your word for it," Ivy panted, pushing them outside the town barriers. The wind was still shoving her slightly off course, but so far the formless being hadn't attempted to speak to her.
Which, Ivy had to admit, was probably bad. If fighting against whatever she was riding straight towards (oh god what the hell is she thinking) was more important than warning her of said danger, than they were probably both screwed.
"So what exactly are we up against?" Ivy shouted back.
"We don't stand a chance against them," Shock declared matter-of-factly. "They're demons, Ivy, it's not exactly something we learn to fight- well, not until we're older."
Ivy almost fell of her board. "I- I'm sorry, I think the this whole situation is kinda getting to me, because I could have sworn you just said 'demons'."
"Demons." Shock readjusted her grip, trying to avoid the flapping of what little long hair Ivy had left. "Dämon. Demonio. شيطان. Daemonium. It's all the same."
Ivy's head felt light, this time not as result from Shock's grip.
"Hey! Eyes up; don't faint on me, human!" Shock dug her nails into Ivy's shoulder, forcing her ride to slow.
"Demons," Ivy gasped. "You-you're messing with me. This isn't, like, an actual thing that's happening, right?"
"Stop acting stupid!" Shock shrieked, casting a glance over her shoulder to make sure they weren't being followed. If it hadn't been for the danger of the situation, she would have been enjoying the ride- Ivy's board went far faster than the bathtub, and it wasn't like Helga or Gretchen would let her touch their brooms after last time.
Maybe she could still steal Rosie's, though.
Ivy's stammering brought her back into the moment. "Are we talking about, like, actual demons here? Like, steal-your-soul, Hellfire, allergic to salt?"
"And holy water," Shock added grumpily, "but we all are, so that's not much use."
Ivy tried very hard to avoid looking at the swirling black mass she was pushing herself towards, failing miserably. "So, um, why the hell are we going to face them?"
"Because Lock & Barrel are still in the treehouse!" Shock burst out, a rare hint of hysteria coloring her tone. "And I can't let the demons get to them! And he's not going to protect them, so it has to be me, it's always me, I can't let them die again while I do nothing-"
"Woah, woah!" Ivy spared a glance over her shoulder, almost praying that the Wind would notice her leaving- any excuse, really, to abandon Shock and get the hell out of there. "What do you mean, again?"
Shock locked her jaw, looking pointedly away from Ivy.
Ivy narrowed her eyes, then without hesitation let one shoe hang off the board, jerking them to a halt, with Shock nearly falling off her back from the momentum.
"What are you doing?" Shock yelled angrily, hitting Ivy's back with her fist. "We can't stop now; we're too close!"
"If you want any help from me," Ivy replied, deathly calm once more, "then you're gonna give me a little more information."
"We don't have time!" Shock shrieked, yanking the long portion of Ivy's hair. "You're gonna loose your favor, you stupid, traitorous, selfish human!"
Something odd flashed across Ivy's eyes, the muscles in her cheek and hands twitching, but Shock was far too enraged to tell.
"I'll tell you whatever you want later," she promised, gritting her teeth, "but for now we have to go find them!"
"I've heard that before," Ivy said, her tone flippant, before she rolled her shoulders harshly and knocked Shock to the ground. She tuned the board around, letting it slowly roll away from the stunned witch. "Start talking."
"You'd-you'd leave me out here?" Shock gasped, bravo shaking as she took in the fallen tree branches and sickly colored sky.
Ivy's only respond was to push off quickly, her hands shoved in her pockets, not giving the witch another glance.
"Wait!" Shock all but screamed, scrambling to her feet and trying to run after her. "We- we-"
5 feet. 8 feet. 12.
"-we know each other when we were alive!" She finally yelled. "An-And they got hurt, and it was my fault, and then we came down here and it happened again and it was all my fault, I let the demons in and they-they tricked me, said I could be a real witch and Helga an' Gretchen would want me an' Barrel an' Lock wouldn't get hurt ever again but they did-"
Ivy's foot dragged across the road once more, stopping the board.
"-an' Jack said we'd be safe but we're not, the demons keep coming back and yelling at Jack about a deal an' he thinks we don't notice because he thinks we're stupid but we're not, and- and-"
"Did you let the demons in this time?" Ivy asked.
"N-no," Shock managed, scrubbing at her eyes angrily. She reached the board and gripped it, determined not to let the human get away again.
"You...you just want to make sure Lock & Barrel get back to Town?" Ivy finally turned, confusion evident on her face.
"Of course!" Shock snapped. "I'm not like you, I would just leave them."
Ivy ducked her head, eyes hardening. "Ok," she mumbled. "Let's do this, or whatever."
Shock stared at the human, eyes comically wide, before breaking off into peals of hysterical laughter that pierced even the Wind's vengeful howl. "You- you can't be serious!" She gasped, doubling over. "You think- you really think I'll just hop on and we go off as a team? No," she sneered, laughter ebbing as she straightened up, green lights sparking at her fingertips. "I don't think so."
Ivy realized what was happening a moment too late, hands flying up to shield her face as she twisted away from the furious witch's spell. It hit her full force, locking her limbs and sending her flying through the air before slamming her into a hole in a tree, her back sparking with pain as she struggled to free herself from the green bindings. Shock stepped closer, waving her hands so that the tree's branches held her in place.
"Like I said, I'm not like you," she snarled. "If Lock and Barrel are ok, they haven't been hurt in the time that you've taken for yourself, then I'll tell Jack where you are." She pointed one gnarled finger at Ivy's mouth, holding her other hand close to her lips. The curses and insults Ivy had built in her throat vanished, and she felt her panic grow was she failed to make any sound whatsoever.
"Like to see you sweet-talk your way out of this one," Shock jeered, stepping onto Ivy's board. "You may be able to fool the Wind and Jack and half the town, but not me. I know what you really are. A dangerous, worthless human."
And with that, she pushed off, leaving Ivy utterly alone.
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Ivy had to admit that, objectively, this was really, really bad.
She wiggled her fingers, trying to loosen the band of Shock's hex, but the magic burned her fingers tips and she couldn't even scream or curse because that stupid witch muted her-
She had guessed there was no love lost between her and the faux witch, but still, she hadn't been expecting anything like this to happen!
You deserved it, Ivy's conscience chided. You said you'd help.
Ivy screwed her eyes shut and shook her head as much as the restraints would allow, trying to ignore the way her neck curved painfully against the tree's trunk. The suppressed hysteria from earlier was starting to make its return, stiffening her limbs even more and causing black spots to dance before her eyes. She tried to bend her knees, seeing if she could scoot herself out of the tree, but her head hit the lip of the hole and she blinked away the dizziness. She strained her jaw, trying to get out even a single word, when the noises started.
The woods certainly hadn't been quiet before- the wind was near deafening, the tree branches snapped as they fell to whatever invisible attack was forcing its ways through the forest. But now Ivy heard cold, sharp laughter that sent a violent shudder down her spine and echoed around her skull. She hadn't been to church in years, but the dark images the voice conjured had her desperately hoping for a rosary or cross.
Demons, she remembered, her stomach turning. A scream answered the demons laugh, and Ivy felt her form chill as she recognized it as Shock's. Was she hurt? Angry?
She closed her eyes, wishing that she could close her ears as well, when a voice broke her train of thought.
"Good heavens! Are you...are you alive?"
It was strange, she reflected, wondering when and how that word had gotten an entirely different connotation.
Ivy opened her eyes and felt her body tense, a silent scream rubbing her throat raw as she took in the face before her.
It was a horrific parody of humanity- long strips of skin hung from a musty yellow skull, one eyeball dangling from a red strand onto a mangled cheek. Deep claw marks opened the throat, the dark cavity twitching and convulsing with phantom breath. The macabre face took her in, bloodshot eyes widening. Ivy squeezed her eyes shut once more, trying to remember the Lord's Prayer.
Vater unser im Himmel,, geheiligt werde dein Name...was ist danach? A tear escaped from her eyes and rolled down her cheek as she tried not to completely lose her mind.
"Oh no, I'm sorry!" The face said, voice young and earnest. "Oh, athair, how foolish of me…there now, this should be better."
Ivy refused to move, still mentally chanting.
"It's alright," the voice cooed, and Ivy shuddered as a thumb swept the tear off her cheek. It was cold and formless and she really didn't want to think about what that thing's hand looked like.
"I'm going to break the hex on your voice now," the voice said softly. The thumb touched her lips gently, and Ivy gasped as she felt the grip on her voice release.
"Wha-what- how-" she sputtered, eyes still shut.
"I didn't mean to startle you, I'm sorry. Can you move? This hex looks a little weaker now."
The juxtaposition of the voice and the face was taking up the majority of Ivy's mental capacity, but she managed to push her restraints once more, the hex stretching like taffy before snapping back into place.
The voice chuckled softly without any real malice. "Here, let me…"
One cold finger trailed down Ivy's arm, feeling more like a condensed mist than a real hand. But it was working- the too-tight bindings of the hex slowly melted away and her muscles twitched back to life. The moment both of her arms were free, she opened her eyes and gripped the edges of the tree, pushing herself out- completely forgetting that her legs hadn't been released yet.
She landed with a thump on the muddy forest floor, arms scrambling to cover her face. A white hand, glowing slightly, appeared in front of her, though not close enough to be uncomfortable. Ivy steeled her nerves and met the creature's gaze once more.
It looked distinctly different now- gone was the twisted expression, shredded flesh, and rolling eyes. In its place crouched a man of about 30, brown eyes gazing at her with concern. It wore a tattered suit jacket, curls falling over a broad forehead. As she focused on the face, the lower half of its form seemed to evanescence from her sight.
"Would you like me to release your legs now?" It- he- whatever- asked. "It won't take but a moment, I promise."
"What are you?" She gasped first, pushing herself away from the hand. "Are you- you're human? Or- no, wait," she cried, not seeing any hint of Quincey in the man's features, "are...are you the first one?"
"The first?" The man asked, letting the outstretched hand drape over his knee.
"Befo- before Quincey Morris," she stammered, trying to shift her deadlocked legs. "But- why did you look like-"
The man held up his hand once more, eyes flickering as some unknown expression crossed his face. "I know that you have many questions," he said calmly, "but this is dangerous ground."
"Yeah," she rasped, "demons. Got the memo."
His head tilted in confusion, but he continued nevertheless. "I was brought here against my will centuries ago." He reached his hand back towards Ivy, hovering just over her outstretched legs. "I aided Quincey Morris after he was brought to Halloween, but he soon left me and was killed by the Outlanders. I would like to ensure that fate does not befall you, as well." He kept her gaze, his posture causing a small golden cross to swing from his (thankfully closed) neck.
Ivy's stomach twisted as she recalled the figure at the end of Quincey's nightmare, and the Wind's story of the Halloween Humans' fates. But if this man was dead, then…
She shook off her thoughts, giving the man a sharp nod. "Uh- do it. My- my legs, ah, please." She blushed as her voice cracked.
The soft smile returned as the man gently broke the hex on her legs, then moved to stand. "I'll answer anything you like once we get you to a safer place- the monsters and demons will find us soon."
She hesitated, staring at the transparent hand before her. Shock was still back there. The Town was still under siege. But now here was somebody who knew what she was feeling, who might have some answers…
She reached out and hesitantly clasped his hand, the fingers feeling warmer and much more firm as it swallowed her own hand. The man smiled and pulled her to her feet with inhuman strength.
"I'm Ivy Kunze," she said, relishing in having her legs restored.
"Ciaran Doherty," he responded, giving a low bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kunze."
Welcome to a character I've been eager to introduce, and celebrate the fact that we're nearing the end of Act 2 of this story!
-Aria