[a/n: thanx muchly to those who have reviewed thus far! here's chapter 6, knock yerself out...]

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CHAPTER 6

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She arrived at the graveyard around fifteen minutes later, after following the road leading to it from Halloween Town. Stepping past the gates she let out a low murmer of astonishment.

It was even more wonderful then she'd imagined it would be. Hundreds of tombstones and mausoleums spread out over an uneven terrain, some of them seemingly quite ancient. A pumpkin patch lay not too far away, which she knew was where the yearly supply was harvested.

The most wonderous sight though, had to be the spiral hill. It lay in the center of the graveyard, the highest landmark. The moon shone upon it gently, giving it an enchanting feel.

Quite amazed with this sight Sally began to head over towards it, gazing at it as she slowly approached the hill. She stopped, however, when her eyes found that another creature sat there. Not just any creature, but perhaps the most amazing one in all of Halloween Town. A skeleton, tall and thin, standing by himself as he stared at the full moon. He wore a handsome pinstripped suit and a matching bat bow tie, a frayed set of tails finishing the ensemble. She stared at this character now, not realizing that she was staring.

She'd been standing there for a couple of minutes before the skeleton turned around. Unaware that anyone had been watching him he blinked with confusion, before smiling.

"Hello there," he said with a little nod as she grew entranced by his smile. "I didn't even see you standing behind me."

She gave a little curtsy. "I'm sorry, I was just out for a walk when...."

"Oh, don't worry about it," he replied. "Come, join me. Lovely view from up here."

"I...I'd love to." Carefully she made her way to the hill, walking up it so that she now stood by his side. The skeleton presently stood directly next to her, arms behind his back as he focused his sight on the sky. She looked up now as well, to see a million brilliant little shining dots up there. They twinkled gently, their beauty mesmerizing.

"Lovely, aren't they?" he asked. "I always loved the night sky, for years I've simply loved coming up here to stare at the stars..." A little chuckle. "But that doesn't matter. What's your name?"

"My name?" She touched her chest. "Sally."

"Last name....?"

A shrug as her arms fell to her side. "The doctor never gave me one."

Slight confusion. "The doctor....? Oh, Dr. F! You must be that invention of his the witches were talking about. Well, it's lovely meeting you." He extended his hand.

"Same here." She accepted his gesture of kindness, shaking his skeletal hand. It was quite large compared to her own, producing a laugh from him. "Well, I feel like a monster here!" He released his hold on her. "Well, I don't know if the doctor has told you about me already, but allow me to introduce myself. The name is Jack Skellington."

"The king?" she exclaimed. "Oh, goodness!" quickly she dropped to her knees, staring at the ground. "Your majesty, forgive me if I have in any way..."

"No, no, no, Sally! Whyever should you be sorry for anything, you've done nothing wrong. Please, stand up."

Slowly she did, still looking downwards. "I have been far too forward before the king...."

A chuckle. "Too forward? My dear, you have been anything but. You've simply been a lovely, polite young woman. Don't apologize for a thing." Nothing. He just gave a shrug. "Don't worry about any of it, it's all fine. I'm really quite a casual person."

"Then...I haven't...insulted you?"

"No, of course not!" She just rubbed her arms; it was getting chilly outside. "You getting cold?"

"Yes, just a bit..."

With a smile he removed his jacket, placing it over her shoulders. The fabric felt soft and warm against her skin, giving off a pleasant odor. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, offering her the heat of his body. The intimacy of the situation was somewhat unsettling to Sally, but she didn't try to free herself from the arms of the King. In fact, there was something she liked about this....

"So why haven't I seen you around town before now?" Jack's voice cut into her thoughts.

"Oh, my creator wouldn't allow it. He said I wasn't ready yet." She lowered her voice. "I ran away tonight."

"Ah...."

"But please, don't tell him," she quickly insisted as she glanced at him. "He musn't know...I can't go back there!"

"Don't worry, I won't," came the reassurance. "Tell me though, why can't you go back?"

"I...I can't say," was all she said. "It would be my preference not to."

"Has he been hurting you in any way...?"

Quickly she shook her head. "No, never! I just....can't go into it." Slowly she started to edge from his arms, pulling free as she removed his jacket. "I'm sorry, your majesty, I must go now. I still have to find a place to sleep tonight..."

"You can stay in my mansion if you want...." he offered.

"No, no thanks....I musn't...." By now she was starting to sweat slightly; she didn't like this, any part of it. "I appreciate the offer, but...."

A nod. "Well, at least take the jacket. I don't want you being cold tonight."

This surprised her. "But Jack, I couldn't."

"You have to. Please, if you got sick or something from being out here like this I'd hate myself forever. I have others like it, take it and enjoy it." An idea suddenly came to him. "Hey look, if you want a place to stay, just go to town hall. There's a spare key under the doormat, it's been there for years. It'll get you inside. Stay there for the night, so you don't get ill or anything."

"Well....alright then. Thank you very much." She pulled on the jacket, letting its warmth embrace her. "Goodbye." Before he could say another word she was running down the hill and out of the graveyard, her brown hair flying in the breeze as she fled the area.

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