Her heart stopped in her chest. At least, it felt like such. Every eye bore into her, confused, scared, and angry. Her father had finally released her, yet she stayed motionless.

What could she say? What could she do?

What they must think of me, she thought bitterly. I finally slipped up, and now I have to answer for what happened.

"Thorn," the Mayor croaked, his face turned to sad. "What on Earth was that, just now...? What...what did you just do?"

Lost control of my powers and my temper again? Exposed myself for what I really am? Shamed my father and the title I just inherited from him? Disgraced the very holiday and people I'm now supposed to represent?

There was nothing she could say that would provide any clarification to the townspeople. She had never revealed her powers to anyone except her parents and Dr. Finklestein until now, and she only did because she lost the battle with her anger and attacked, blindly, without thinking or remorse. Even if it was Oogie Boogie back for a rematch, again, what right did she have as Pumpkin Queen to lash out in front of her people?

The only thing she could stand to do was run, and run she did.

"Wait, Thorn!"

Her parents calling her name didn't stop her flight. She bolted with all the strength and emotion she had in her body. Her heart was breaking.

She'd warned her father. She'd told him she wasn't ready to be Pumpkin Queen yet. It wasn't a matter of her skills; it was the lack of control she had of herself and her powers.

Tears streaked down her face, and she let out a horrible wail, as she bolted farther and farther from town into the woods.

Back in Town Hall, Jack was trying with everything he had to corral the townspeople's attention. He was desperate to explain himself and his daughter's actions.

"People, please! Lend me your ears! Let me explain!"

Finally, after some effort, the people of Halloween Town trained haunted eyes on Jack.

"Thorn did not mean for what happened to transpire. She is not used to her abilities yet, and cannot control them very well!"

"What abilities?"

People murmured agreement, seeking clarification. Jack was hesitant to answer; this was his daughter's trusted secret, one he himself never divulged or even truly understood. He doubted even she grasped the nature of her power.

With a brief sigh, he began:

"Thorn has a way with the darkness and the shadows. She can use them, control them, tame them as she sees fit. Her powers feed into the legacy in which she was born. It helps her even be effective at terror. Yet, she only just learned of her...dark gifts recently, and thought it would be best, for herself and the terrifyingly wonderful people of Halloween Town to keep it a secret.

"Unfortunately, that secret is out. She tried desperately, in case it meant keeping this town safe. She is a wonderful young woman, hardly a real threat, but she has to learn."

He paused, letting the citizens absorb the knowledge they'd learned.

"Everyone, please. We were all young once, green around the ears and unsure of ourselves and the world around us. Thorn is no different. You've all been with her, watching as she grew or growing up alongside her. I believe this to be no different. Please, try to understand."

There was an even longer pause after he stopped. People muttered inaudibly and Sally approached Jack nervously, placing a soft hand on his forearm. "Dr. Finklestein and I can take care of things from here, if you want to find her," she whispered. "She'll need her father now, and I can come to her later, but this is for you to help her with. Go."

Jack stopped, looking at his wife in earnest, but her stubborn eyes gave no hesitation. She was determined to handle things while Jack tracked down their daughter and brought her back to her family and her people safely.

Finally, he relented, and ran in the direction Thorn last went.