"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Thorn fell farther and farther down. Originally, there was darkness, but then, blue light and cold wind bit at her cloth skin. She was blinded by the light blue and white; it was almost too much for her to bear.

"FATHER!"

Her cry feel into nothingness, but finally, her descent fell, and she landed gently, sitting on a mound of white.

"Ugh..." she groaned softly, clutching her head. Then, she lifted her head, and the sight before her was unlike anything she'd ever known before.

The darkness that had once encompassed her life was replaced by a warm atmosphere, despite the cold underneath her. The bright colors, warm music and laughs of children stretched out for miles. It was so strange to her.

"What is this?"

As she tried to stand, Thorn had her foot trapped by the white substance she was standing on, and she tumbled down the hill into another pile of the same strange white substance.

"Where am I...?" she asked as she rose carefully and dusted herself off. Unfortunately, she was stuck in a sitting position, restrained by the white.

"Well, I'll be. Who do we have here?"

Thorn snapped her head in the direction of the deep voice, and all she saw was red and white. Her confusion grew, but a hand wrapped in black leather greeted her instead. Sensing no ill will, Thorn reached out to take the stranger's hand, and he pulled her to her feet. Now looking up at her, the stranger laughed a little.

"I'd be willing to bet you're Jack Skellington's child, aren't you?" he asked, with a hint of annoyance at Thorn's father's name. This annoyance didn't last long, though and a soft, nostalgic smile spread across his face. "I haven't seen that skeleton man in many years, but I'm glad he took new passion in his own holiday. I ramble, though. You must be tired and confused; come with me to my home and Mrs. Claus can make you some hot chocolate. We can discuss everything there."

He said nothing more, but started to leave, forcing Thorn to follow behind him.

When they were settled by the fire in his home, he began to tell his story:

"I am the holiday leader here. I am Santa Claus, and you have traveled to Christmas Town from your home in Halloween Town. I'm guessing your father told you of this place, being holiday leader of Halloween Town."

Thorn nodded. "Not too long ago, actually, but yes, he told me," she told him.

"I met your father a long time ago, back when he decided to take over my holiday for me. While he meant well, his execution of the holiday was rather poorly done."

"Papa told me about that," Thorn finally said, "back when I was younger. And...he's not the holiday leader anymore. I am. Or, at least, I was..."

Santa paused in confusion. "Why do you say that, young lady?"

"My name is Thorn, Mr. Claus. And it's because I ran away. I have horrible power, and no one had ever known except my parents and my mom's creator. I used my powers in front of everyone, and ruined Halloween this year. So, I decided to go into exile, so I wouldn't ruin it again or put any of my citizens in danger.."

Thorn started shaking, which caused the shadows from the fire to darken around the entire room. Everything went dim, and before it consumed, Thorn took a sip of her hot chocolate, and the shadows disappeared.

"I see," Santa whispered, looking at Thorn in surprise. "You do have an...unusual gift, but it's nothing to be ashamed of, my dear. All holiday leaders have some "unusual gift" that they have that fits with their holiday."

Thorn looked at Santa then. "What?" she breathed. "Papa doesn't have any powers like that."

"But he does. He has powers over fire. I've seen it myself before. It was a long time ago, but it marveled me even to this day. Since then, he hasn't had to use it, though now I understand why that is. I suspect he forgot how to use it after all this time. And I myself have an "ability", shall we say, that suits my particular holiday, as it seems that you do.

"The point, young lady, is that you shouldn't be ashamed of who you are. You should be proud, as I'm sure your parents are."

Thorn finally hesitated. Her parents did mention how proud they were of her, all the time. It hurt her to hear it from an outsider looking in. Tears stung her eyes, and she fought back sobs to no avail.

"I've been so scared of myself, Mr. Claus," she whimpered. "And with Oogie back-"

Santa stood up in alarm, his pale face almost bone white. "What did you say?" he demanded, shocked.

Thorn was taken aback before she continued.

"Oogie. He's back... That's how my citizens found out about me. I attacked him in front of everyone."

"You must go back to your holiday, then. Quickly. Before that psychotic monster threatens and destroys everything once again. You must waste no time. GO!"

Thorn couldn't even collect her thoughts before Santa grabbed her, and with a blur, she was cast out of his house, and eventually she was tossed back to the Hinterlands of Halloween Town.