~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 11

~~~~~~~~~~

"So you're sure you're alright?" Jack was asking a vampire. "That human gave you a nasty kick when you tried to bite him, you sure you'll be fine?"

"Of course I will, but thank you for asking," came the reply.

"Great then, but I want you to keep an eye on it. Go see the doctor if anything comes up." He turned to go talk with the mayor, stopping when he noticed two figures heading in his direction. "Why hello Doctor Finklestein, Sally," smiled Jack as the two approached him. He headed to go speak with them. "How good to see you. Is there anything I can be assitance of?"

"Indeed, my good man," replied the scientist as he came to a halt. "I was wondering if you'd be able to put your signature on a marriage license for myself and Sally."

That certainly knocked Jack off guard; he hadn't known about this. And now that he was faced with it, he really didn't like the idea. Quickly he glanced at the rag doll; she was staring at the floor, obviously not at all pleased about this. "Hmm, a marriage license you say? Well, as you know we need to have the proper documents written up first..."

"Already done, the mayor assisted with that much." A smile. "All we need is your good signature to make it all nice and official."

Once more he glanced at Sally. "Well, your bride-to-be doesn't seem that happy to me..."

"Oh, she's overwhelmed with it all, the poor girl. Aren't you?" No reply as he let out a nervous chuckle. "She's caught right up now. Anyways...."

"No," she suddenly replied as she lifted her head. "No, I'm not overwhelmed at all. I just don't want to marry you." A heated glare at her inventor. "I don't want to marry you, and I don't have to. I won't become your little housewife, Dr. Finklestein, and you can't make me!" Without waiting she fled from his side, racing past the working people and outdoors.

The king just shook his head, letting out a sigh. What a sad, strange course of events this was turning out to be. "I'll go speak with her."



*****



Jack hurried outside Town Hall, glancing about for signs of Sally. He couldn't see anyone; she was probably already far away from here at the speed she'd been going.

"Achoo!" came a little sneeze from behind a bush. A smile crossed his face as he turned, peeking behind the shrubbery in front of the building. "Why hello there," he chuckled upon seeing Sally. "Did your plan backfire on you?" She sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, arms around them as she glared at him. Her hair was wild, hanging partially in front of her face as she sat there. Tears streamed down her face, yet she said nothing. "Gonna say something?" he asked gently. More silence. "Fine then, be that way." A shrug from him as he climbed through the bush, sitting beside her in the cramped little space. "Mind if I join you?"

"If you so choose," she whispered.

"Oh my, quite cozy here, huh? Especially for a person of my height." A chuckle. "But no matter." Despite the fact that she was trying to avoid his eyes, she found that the same feeling she'd felt during that night on the spiral hill was back.

She realized after a moment of silence she'd been staring at him, quickly looking away. "Why are you here?"

"Because it's my job." He pulled a hankerchief from his pocket, offering it to her. "Why are you so upset about this marriage, Sally?"

She accepeted the hankerchief, dabbing at her eyes. "Because I don't want to marry him. He only made me so I could become his little homemaker, his companion. I don't want that, I want to be free. To go where I choose, do as I like. Fall in love, have a wonderful wedding, children..." she trailed off, immediately looking down and blushing again. "I'm sorry, I got carried away there..."

"Oh, don't apologize. Here, look at me." She did so. "Now tell me, how upset are you by this marriage?"

"Very. I don't want to do it. It's not fair..."

He thought for a moment. "No, it isn't. It's an invasion of rights. As a citizen of Halloween, you are entitled to the right to wed whom you please."

"Even if I am an invention?" she asked timidly.

"Yes, even so," he replied. "How about this then; if it means so much to you, I'll refuse to issue the license."

Her eyes lit up. "Really? Oh, really? Thank-you, Jack!" She flung her arms around his neck, embracing him. "You're wonderful!"

"Thank-you," he smiled as she pulled away. "No-one deserves to be denied of the simple things in life." He grew solemn. "I should know..."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

Jack simply shrugged as he glanced away. "Nothing, nothing...don't worry your pretty little head over it." Slowly he looked back at her. He couldn't help but be fascinated by her gentle charms, her oddly intriguing beauty. She was certainly unlike any woman he'd ever met before. I wonder what she tastes like? he thought to himself. I wonder what it would be like to kiss her...

Sally was silent as he looked at her, not reacting to his attentions. She barely even flinched when he moved closer to her, his mouth finding her own as he cupped the back of her head in his hand. The sensation was unlike any other she'd ever felt before; pure ecstacy, closing her eyes as he kissed her. This was something she'd never known in the past, and she loved it. Not sure of what to do she wrapped her arms around him, surrendering to the kiss.

Jack was wide-eyed when he pulled away, unable to believe what he had done. "I--I'm so sorry..." he stuttered as he touched his lips. "I don't know what came over me, I couldn't help myself...I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that..."

A little smile as she patted his hand. "Don't worry, Jack, I don't mind. It was...a lovely experience. I've never known that sensation before. Thank-you."

"You aren't upset? I didn't mean to offend you..."

"And you didn't, trust me."

A sigh of relief. "That's good then. You know, if I did in any way make you feel uncomfortable, any way at all, you can do something about it, talk to the mayor. He'll take appropriate actions..."

She was stunned at this. "You mean, and get you fired? No, never! Rest assured, Jack, I'm not mad. Certainly not. We can forget this ever happened if you want." A smile crossed her face. "Now, let's get out of here, shall we?"

He was still embarrassed. "Yes...that sounds fine."



*****