Chapter 14: Oogie Boogie is back
Zero's ears perked up as the front door to the manor opened. He watched the tall skeleton walk in, stepping into the living room to see his wife sewing on the couch. "Sally I'm home." Sally looked up and stood, embracing him as she kissed him. "Well? Did you find them?" Jack sighed, placing a bony hand on his skull. "Yes, I did. It was exactly as she said, but worse." The ragdoll bit her lip, fighting to hold her worry back. "Worse...? How much worse?" Jack gently grasped her hands in his, holding them close to him. "They had been living off raw pumpkins for sixteen years. After I defeated Oogie those three were stubborn enough to bring him back once again." When Sally heard this she gasped and her fear got the better of her. "What?! You mean he...he's back?! But how?"
"I don't know how. But there's more...After they brought him back Oogie betrayed them and tried cooking them into a stew. So they abandoned him and the treehouse and have been surviving on their own ever since. I feel terrible for them. I still don't trust them but nobody deserves that. I don't think they're lying Sally...I think they're telling the truth..." Sally felt tears form in her eyes and Jack pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her. "That's awful! Jack we can't let them keep eating pumpkins! They'll die if they do. Maybe we can let Meg take them some food each day. I'll cook it myself." Jack thought, grimacing. "Well...Alright, as long as Zero accompanies her." Sally smiled, drying her eyes. "We can worry about Oogie in the future. Right now let's focus on our daughter. Her happiness is what's important right now." Jack smiled, kissing her gently. "As always my dear, you're absolutely right..."
...
Meg sat in her room, brushing her pumpkin orange hair out in front of her mirror. She was unaware Sam had came in until she saw his reflection, making her jump. "Oh Sam! I didn't hear you come in. How long have you been standing there?" Sam looked up blankly. He still hadn't gotten the hang of emotions yet. "A few minutes. Who is this...Lock you mentioned..." Meg blushed. "Oh just a new friend is all...nothing more..." Sam studied her face, taking mental notes. "...Your skull is turning red...Unusual...Are you okay?" At least he learned how to worry. "I'm fine! Just...a little warm! That's all!" Sam blinked. "...The temperature is approximately 69 degrees in here...Below warm temperatures." Meg facepalmed herself and sighed. "This is going to be a long night..."
Bright glowing green eyes watched from the shadows as Jack had left the cemetery earlier that evening. "Great...He's actually letting his daughter hang out with them! I was hoping the boneman would assist me and forbid it. It would've made my mission much easier...Not that it would've been hard to begin with!" Alistair scoffed. He kept to the shadows as he followed Jack home. When they reached the manor he checked each window until he found the room he was looking for...On the second floor. He cursed as he fought to keep his balance on the ledge. "Damnit I wish I could fly...Stupid powers...Alright now I can begin my observation...Know thy enemy..." He whispered before falling into silence, watching the princess of Halloween. Was she blushing? Wait was she thinking about that devil boy? Did she have a crush on him?! "No, no, no! This is bad...Damnit I have to tell Oogie. This just got a lot harder..." He climbed down to the ground slowly, so as not to fall. When he was on the ground safely, he hurried through the darkness toward the town gate.