Chapter 12: Be on guard

"Bye Meg! Don't forget to come back tomorrow!" Barrel called as the skeleton girl was leaving. Shock waved. "Be careful going home!" Meg smiled, stopping to wave back. "Don't worry I will! Bye Lock, bye Shock, bye Barrel! Good night!" Lock sat on a gravestone, waving simple. "See ya tomorrow, Meg!" He smiled unknowingly and Shock snickered. Lock turned to look at her. "Now why are you laughing?"

"Lock is in love, Lock is in love...!" She sang. Barrel laughed and Shock growled, blushing madly. "S-Shut up!" Meg giggled and hurried through the graveyard. She and Zero failed to notice the bright light green eyes watching her from the shadows. Alistar scowled, hiding behind the large tree. "So someone else has their sights set on Skellington? Dad isn't gonna like this...Not at all...This can complicate the mission." He snuck through the graveyard unseen, making his way to the treehouse. He hopped in the cage and pulled himself up to the doorway in the tree. He opened the cage and crept out, stepping onto the floor. The boards squeaked and he flinched. So much for sneaking in... "ALISTAR! Is that you?" Alistar grumbled. "Yeah dad, it's me." He watched as Oogie Boogie came into view from the kitchen. "Ah good. Well, did you make a good first impression on her?"

"No dad I couldn't even talk to her."

"What?! Why not!" Alistar looked at him. "Because these three other people were hanging around her! Two boys and a girl." Oogie went silent, fuming. After sixteen years they decided to show up, only to interfere with his plans...He balled his hands into fists. "Tell me everything...NOW!" Alistar stepped back, startled by his father's anger. "...The first one was some boy dressed as a skeleton, the second was a girl, a witch. And the third was a boy, a devil." Oogie's eyes narrowed. "So the trio has survived all these years...I must admit I'm surprised. Continue."

"They befriended her. When she left for a while, I overheard them talking amongst themselves. I believe they have a plan of their own. But there's a problem...A bigger one..." Oogie crossed his arms, waiting. "And...?" "The two actually like her...and the third...They believe he has...feelings for her, despite their plan"... "WHAT?! UNACCEPTABLE! If they get too close to her they'll warn her about me! Then sixteen years of plotting will be wasted, and I'll never have my revenge!" Oogie hit the wall and Alistar jumped, startled. "We can't let the two lovebirds to get too close...Chang of plans! You will woo her and turn her against them! I know some secrets that should do the trick..."

"Wait, wait, wait! I told you I am NOT romancing her!" Alistar yelled defiantly. Oogie glared and grabbed his throat, slamming him into the wall. Alistar grunted and his eyes widened in fear. "Now...You were saying, son...?" Alistar gulped. "Y-Yes sir! I'll win her over!" Oogie released him and he rubbed his throat. "That's a good boy...Now come on, I made snake and spider stew." As he turned to retreat to the kitchen, Alistar made a face. "Snake and spider stew? Again? Great...Just great..."

...

Meg hurried through the graveyard, swinging the gate to the town square open. Her heels clicked against the cobblestone as she ran, heading past the guillotine and up the path to the large manor before her. A small car was parked in the driveway, meaning her father was already home. She opened the front door, shutting it behind her quickly. "I'm home!"

"In the kitchen, pumpkin!" Her mother called. She walked into the kitchen and hugged the ragdoll tightly. "Hi mama! Hi papa!" She threw her arms around her father, sitting at the table with some letters. He smiled. "There's my little pumpkin princess! Someone's in a good mood, h'm?" Meg nodded enthusiastically. "I made some new friends today! We hung out all day and had so much fun!" Sally looked over from the stove where she was cooking dinner. "Really? That's wonderful! A sweet girl like you needs friends. Anyone we know?"

"Maybe. They did mention you guys." Jack looked up, listening closely. "What are their names, pumpkin?" He asked. Meg smiled happily. "Lock, Shock and Barrel!" Sally gasped, almost burning herself. Jack dropped his letters. furrowing his browbones. "What?! Those three?! But that's impossible, I-"

"Jack! Calm down! I'm sure there's an explanation..." Meg frowned in confusion. "Mama? Papa...? What's wrong?" Jack stood up, pacing the kitchen quickly and angrily. "What's wrong is your new friends. Trust me, when I tell you they're not to be trusted. Those three have a reputation for lying straight to your face. They are mischievous, sneaky, troublemaking little-"

"Shhh...Jack it's okay..." Sally came over and stopped him, holding his hands in her own. He stopped pacing and held them gently. "I'm sorry my beloved Sally...My temper got the better of me. Meagan where exactly did you find them? It wasn't a treehouse was it?" Meg shook her head, still confused. "You mean that treehouse in the south graveyard? No, a mausoleum in the in the west graveyard. A big one. They don't have a home, papa." Jack grimaced. Why would they be living in a mausoleum? Why not the treehouse? Something didn't add up. "Which reminds me...I'm sorry mama." Sally looked at her daughter. "For what sweetheart?"

"I took some food today and fed it to them. They were gonna eat raw pumpkins. When I asked they said they had no choice." Sally frowned. "That's terrible! It's a miracle they're still alive...You did the right thing hon. Right, Jack?"

"I suppose...even troublemaking kids deserve to eat too..." He agreed reluctantly. Meg smiled. "Thanks mama, thanks papa. Can I still be friends with them? Please? They're really sweet. I promise I'll be careful!" Sally looked at Jack. If they said no, Meg might sneak out, like she herself had done once. If they tried stopping her, she could get mad. Jack seemed to read what Sally was thinking on her face. "No going anywhere with them. And absolutely no going out after dark to see them. And Zero must always be with you. They are the only other kids around here after all...And you're a growing teenager, with a need to socialize." Jack reasoned. Meg grinned and hugged them both tightly. "Oh thank you! I promise I'll listen! You guys are the best parents ever!" Sally smiled and Jack chuckled, hugging back and kissing her head. "Alright go get ready for dinner. It's almost ready." Meg let go and ran upstairs quickly. Jack turned to Sally. "After dinner I'm going to that mausoleum. Something isn't right. Why live in a graveyard when they have a treehouse?" Sally nodded. "Alright. But be careful. And promise me you won't do anything rash? She's a smart girl. She knows what she should and shouldn't do." Jack smiled. "I know. That's why I showed leniency." Sally smiled and kissed him, then returned to the stove, grabbing the pot and setting it on the table.

Bowls were already out, along with spoons. "Dinner!" She announced. Meg ran downstairs and into the kitchen. "Mmm! Cheesy potato and meat soup!" She took her setting and Jack served the food. When Sally was seated he smiled at his family. "Alright. Let's eat!"

...

"That soup was delicious as always Mama!" Meg exclaimed as she helped her mother wash the dishes. "Thank you hon. And thank you for helping me with the dishes."

"I love helping you mama. Where's papa going?" Sally looked at Jack. "He has to take care of something, but he'll be back later. I know, why don't we make some pumpkin pie for when he gets home?" The skeleton girl grinned. "Yeah! Pumpkin pie! Sound good papa?" Jack kissed Sally then their daughter's forehead. "Pumpkin pie sounds perfectly wonderful! I can't wait to hurry home and get back home now." Sally smiled as he headed for the door, opening it. Zero lie in his dog bed, taking a nap, not hearing Jack open the door and leaving.