Chapter 18

Lock bit his lip, anxious. He stood on Spiral Hill, waiting. He promised the others he would tell Meg the truth. He would do it to keep her safe...He was terrified. Terrified because he knew there was a chance she would get mad, and never forgive them. A large chance. There was a smaller chance she would forgive them, but he didn't keep his hopes up.

"Just relax Lock, you don't know that...You know her better than that." His heart began pounding the moment he saw her. She was approaching the hill with Zero in tow.

"So you wanted to tell me something?"

"Yeah..." He looked at her and took a deep breath. Screw it...It's now or never...

"Meg the truth is-"

"That he's been lieing to you... from the very beginning." The devil's blood ran cold. That voice... He turned around, eyes wide with fear. Sure enough none other than Alistar himself was walking up the hill. Meg scowled heavily in confusion, crossing her arms protectively.

"Alistar? What are you doing here? What are you talking about...?"

"I'm talking about HIM. He thought he could keep it a secret..." He pointed an accusing finger at Lock. Meg looked at Lock. "Secret? Lock what is he taking about?"

"Meg, You have to believe me-"

"No she doesn't! I've keeping tabs on him. And his siblings. Did you know after his second defeat that Oogie was brought back? He lives in the old trrehouse."

"WHAT?! Oogie Boogie?! Papa told me about him...But how?" Alistar glared at Lock threateningly.

"How else? They did it. They were going to help him overthrow your father, but after Oogie tried to eat them, they ran." Lock felt his heart drop into his stomach.

"Lock, why didn't you just tell me?" Meg frowned. She started to reach for him.

"Because that isnt all. They decided to handle things themselves. Lock decided he would romance you so he could take the throne from you! He was using you for power." Alistar finished at last. Lock began to tremble with fear. He was startled when he felt a tear slide down his face. He was heartbroken when he saw the look of hurt on the skeleton.

"Lock...please...tell me he's lieing! You guys wouldn't do that! YOU wouldn't do that! Right?" She was pleading with him.

"It...it is...At first! But then I met you! I fell in love with you! Meg you have to believe me! Please!" He was crying now. Meg just stepped back.

"Because I'm a Skellington?! The heiress to the throne?!" She turned and ran quickly, hurrying through the graveyard.

"MEG! Wait!" Lock called after her. He stared at Alistar.

"Why did you do that?!"

"You really think I didn't know? That you'd try and diffuse us by telling her yourself? Of course I knew! Now we can proceed as planned..." Before the devil could even speak, he turned away and vanished, taking to the shadows. Once he was all alone, he fell to his knees and cried, for the first time...