It's taken way to long for this chapter so I will not waste anyone time in the intro! Please enjoy to whoever is still reading!
Chapter 23
"I can explain," Barrel said desperately, before Jack started to yell.
Jack knew if he spoke he was going to lose it. So rather then speak, he decided to act.
He snatched the tooth from Locks hands, then grabbed both boys by the wrists and dragged them to his car. Forcefully he buckled them both in, and stepped on the gas.
Lock and Barrel both stared at either other with terror. They had never seen Jack this angry. Not even when they brought back the Easter Bunny by mistake.
The pumpkin king slammed on the breaks, dragged both children out of the car, and up to the doctors front door.
The master of fright pounded on the door three times before the doctor invited him in.
"Why Jack, what a pleasant surprise."
"I wish I could say the same," He growled.
The old man eyed both the children, "What on earth happened to this little one?" He asked, pointing at Barrel.
"He will have some explaining to do after," Jack said sharply, making Barrel wince at the thought. "But first,I need you to take care this one," He said pointing to Lock.
"Oh my, look at that black eye!"
It gets worse. Go on Lock," Jack scolded, "Open your mouth."
To afraid not too, Lock did as he was told.
"Was it a baby tooth?"
Jack shook his head.
"Do you have the tooth he lost?"
"Yes doctor, it's right here. Do you think you will be able to put it back in before the ball? And do something about that black eye?"
The doctor rubbed his chin for a moment, looking over Locks damage, "It shouldn't be a problem I'm sure. I'll get a few leeches for that black eye, and I should be able to put the tooth back in, and I'll have Igor get some wet rags so you can wash the mud out of Barrel suit."
"Thank you doctor," Jack said with a sigh of relief, "You have idea how much I appreciate your help."
"No trouble at all! I know how kids can be! Come along Lock."
Lock still with his mouth wide opened, and too afraid to close it without Jacks orders, went off to follow the doctor.
Once Igor got the wet rags ready Jack wasted no time cleaning the mud off Barrels suit. He was quite rough about it, but Barrel hadn't complained out of fear of getting into more trouble then he was already in.
"I asked one thing!" The pumpkin king began to lecture, "One small thing! Do not think that just because the two of you are allowed to go to the ball tonight that you will not be punished afterwards. The two of you are in BIG trouble. Do you know how upset Sally would be to see the two of you like this?"
"But Jack-"
"But nothing! You two were supposed to be blowing bubbles."
"But-"
"Barrel!" Jack scolded, "I don't want to hear it."
"But we were blowing bubbles!" Barrel spat out, "We were! Then that Ethan kid, and his bat friend came along. I went over to blow one behind them just as a joke, and Ethan asked to see them, I gave them to him, and he threw them on the roof! Lock tried to get them and he fell off! That's what happened!"
Angry still, the master of fright did listen to the child, "Why wouldn't you too come to me?"
"Because we were afraid you were going to be mad for pranking Corpse kid and Bat boy, but it was just a joke Jack, honest!"
"That still doesn't explain how Lock lost his tooth and has a black eye, and why you are all covered in mud."
"After Lock fell the bottle of bubbles fell and hit him in the mouth. He asked me to punch the tooth out because it was loose and would drive him crazy and well," Barrel stammered, "I'm not very good with aim so I sort of punched him in the eye instead. Then he got mad and pushed me in the mud. Then you came outside, Batboy and Corpse Kid ran off and Locks tooth fell out," Barrel took a deep breath, "And I'm sorry, it's all my fault," Barrel stammered, "Sorry," He squeaked."
"Is Lock okay from the fall?" Jack asked, now feeling guilty for not realizing that Lock had fallen from the roof.
"I think so, he had the shrubs break his fall."
"Shrubs!" Jack said in horror.
Quickly his anger turned to guilt an concern. How could he let his anger take over like that? Lock could be really hurt, but Jack didn't take a moment to listen to the child. It was irresponsible of him as their care taker.
As fast as the pumpkin king could he rushed to the doctors office.
"Doctor!" Jack said, swinging the door open without a knock, "I need you to check-"
The pumpkin king noticed the doctor inspecting Locks arm with his sleeve rolled up, "Lock." Jack decided to finish anyways.
"Everything seems to be fine," The doctor reassured both Jack and Lock, "A few bruises and cuts on your arms and legs, but other then that you didn't seem to take too major of a fall. You're a lucky boy."
"Look Jack!" Lock said excitedly, turning around, giving the pumpkin king a big toothy smile.
The master of fright was amazed. All Locks teeth were all in place perfectly, and the black eye was gone.
"Nothing a bit of glue and leeches can't heal," The doctor said rather proudly.
The little devil quivered at the thought of the leeches. He liked slimmy gross things just like any other boy, but he did not like having them stuck to his face, even if they did fix his black eye.
"That's outstanding doctor really, Lock do you feel okay? I heard you took quiet the fall."
Lock shrugged, he was a little sore, but he wouldn't admit it. "I feel great."
"Well then, lets get those branches out of your hair, and lets head to the dance!" The pumpkin king announced excitedly.
To their surprise the boys manged to make it fairly early to the ball. Jack had reassured Lock and Barrel on the way to the ball that he would have a nice chat with corpse kid and bat boy if he ran into them at the dance.
Town hall from the inside had looked outstanding. After weeks of planning, and all the stress it all finally felt all worth it for the pumpkin king.
"When can we eat the food?" Lock asked.
"And have cake!" Barrel said in awe, looking at the massive purple and green layered cake beside the food table.
If Jack had eyes, he would have rolled them. With all the colourful decorations and lights the first thing they notice is the food? He shook his head. Typical kids.
"The cake is for later."
"What about the other food?" Lock grumbled.
"Can't you wait till a bit later. You don't want to dance on a full stomach."
"But I'm hungry," Barrel whined.
"And I can't dance on a empty stomach," Lock added, "I'll have no energy."
"Please Jack," Barrel begged.
"Oh all right," He said, and the boys were already at the table grabbing plates, "But no double dipping!" He called behind them.
After all, the pumpkin king thought, they might as well eat. It was him who was paying for the catering anyways.
"They already have their grubby little hands On the food I see."
The master of fright turned to find the mayor beside him, glaring at the two children.
"Oh mayor, it's not like your paying for it."
"They should be the ones paying for it. After all the damage they've done to the town, and after how much the town has had to pay!"
"They're children, they need adult guidance. They wouldn't have done any damage if we as adults didn't fall short of them in the past. Besides mayor, you said you'd be nice to them," Jack said sharply, "Why don't you go over, say hello?"
"Not after that demon child vomited on my shoes! And where's the other one, there's supposed to be three!"
"Too afraid to say hi to a little five and six year old mayor?" Jack taunted.
"Not at all!" The mayor said pridefully, "I'm mayor of this town, I'm not afraid to go up to those small, bratty little children!"
"Then go, and have a opened mind. They might surprise you."
The mayor, too cowardly to want to go over, but also to prideful not to, reluctantly walked over.
"Hello," He said in a snotty, but fearful tone.
Both Lock and Barrel had turned around, and looked just as unimpressed to see the mayor as he did saying hello, but both knew telling him off or being nasty wasn't worth getting into trouble and ruining their fun night at the ball.
"Hi," Lock and Barrel said at the same time.
It was uncomfortably awkward for the three of them. Lock was almost tempted to throw his plate of food right into his face, but not only would he be in trouble for doing so, but he'd also lose his bet with Jack.
"Excuse us," Lock said rather polity to the mayor instead. In his head what that sentence really meant was, Screw you! Not that no one else knew that was the code words, but it made him feel a little bit better about having to be polite to his moral enemy.
The mayor shocked at the random manners step out of their way so they could go sit.
"Thank you!" Barrel added, chasing after Lock.
"They know manners?" The mayor said rhetorically to himself.
"Oh yes," Jack said from behind him, "Very polite little kids I must say, actually," Jack put his arm on the Mayors shoulder, "Lets go have a real conversation with them." He basically dragged the mayor over to the table the boys were sitting at.
"So I was telling the boys today about how we have pictures of them when they first arrived as babies," Jack said happily to strike conversation.
"Yes,-" The mayor said, unsure on what to say, "They were very young."
Lock looked up from his food and at the Mayor, "Really? I didn't know we were young as babies," He said, clearly being sarcastic, but Jack let it slide because even he thought it was a stupid comment made by the mayor.
"How come there's no pictures of Jack?" Barrel asked with a mouthful of food, not looking up from his plate.
"There is some where's," The mayor said, "They must be up in the attic of town hall."
"That would be cool to see," Lock commented, wondering if perhaps there would also be a photo of Oogie boogie, Sally, and the ruler of Halloween town before Jack.
Barrel nodded in agreement, "That would be cool!" He said excitedly.
"Well they are in the attic for safe keeping," The mayor said sternly, still bitter over the documents that they had destroyed weeks ago, "Our history of Halloween town is very important. We need those books and photos so we can teach the future generations."
Lock raised and eyebrow, "Aren't we the future generation?"
"Well yes I suppose-"
"Do they only teach about Halloween town in the attic?" Barrel asked innocently.
"Well no-," The mayor said awkwardly.
"Then how are we supposed to know how or why Halloween is so important if no one is going to teach us anything about it?" Lock asked, "What's really the point of having books if the people that should be looking at them aren't allowed to?"
Jack was impressed, and surprised with Locks comment. It was a good point. And even the mayor couldn't argue that. How was Lock. Shock, and Barrel supposed to know anything if everyone just keep pushing them aside rather then teach them? They didn't understand how bad their actions were for destroying town hall weeks ago, adults never explained to them the process that goes into planning. If they had known, perhaps they would have thought twice about their actions.
"That's true Lock," Jack said proudly, giving him a pat on the shoulder, "Very wise."
The Mayor was hesitant, but did agree, "Perhaps I can look for the books tomorrow."
"Thanks!" Barrel said brightly, hopping down from his chair, "My plates empty! I'm getting more food!"
"Not before me!" Lock shouted, chasing after the little ghoul.
Jack watched happily before turning to the mayor, "Thank you," The pumpkin king said sincerely, putting his hand on the Mayors shoulder, "That was really nice."
I would personally like to apologize to all my readers for how crazy long this update took. I really am sorry. About two years ago I did start on this chapter right away like I would any other chapter, but this chapter got deleted on me two of three times, and for me I find it very hard to rewrite chapters. And I got very bad writers block from it. Not to mention that my life has been very busy. When I wasn't working all the time I was out with my boyfriend at the time. I am now in school, and things are just crazy all the time and have been like that for a while. I know this chapter is disappointing, and short, but I was hoping that posting it would help to get me out of the writers block that I have been struggling with with this chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed (if anyone still reads this) I promised you guy 3 years ago I would finish this story, and I still stick to that promise. Sorry again for the wait guys. Glad to be back though. Hopefully this time I'm back to stay till the finish line! Let me know your thoughts 3
