I blinked. I was lying in the cemetery again, this time in the arms of a stone gargoyle on the top of the tallest headstone. The moon was full. It was All Hallows Eve.
I leaned up into a sitting position. Jack sat at the foot of the stone, waiting for me. I smiled softly at him as he looked up. He returned it and I jumped down.
"So…what happened to my body?" I asked after a long hug.
"Well, it disappeared with Oogie's spirit, so I guess you're stuck this way." He seemed sad…but for me or for him I was never able to tell.
After a few minutes of silent thought, I added, "You know, I really don't mind. If Oogie was right, then this was the form I was meant to have."
We looked at each other.
"How did you use so much energy at once?" he asked, amazed and bewildered.
Anime television shows, I thought.
"I don't know, Jack. I really don't know. But if I have to stay like this forever, I might as well make use of it. How about that Halloween celebration?" I grinned at him.
He was happily shocked. "Y-you still want to be in it?"
"Well why wouldn't I? It's been my dream since I first saw the movie." I smiled and he escorted me into town.
To make a long story short, the pageant ended beautifully. I stayed in Jack's shadow until he rose out of the fountain, which was when I materialized in his form and became a black reflection of sorts. The townspeople were startled and stood in shock until I dropped the form and grinned. But the evening had more surprises awaiting them…and me.
After the usual prizes were distributed, the mayor held the microphone and began.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special award tonight. One that has only been presented once before in its category. Will we please give a tremendous hand to Jaq Shadow, our official Pumpkin Queen!"
The applause was thunderous. I walked up to the platform in a daze and accepted the medal (which was in the shape of a Jack-O-Lantern). I waved to the congregation amidst cheers and clapping.
"Tonight was amazing," I commented to Jack as we stood on Spiral Hill.
"Pumpkin Queen… That's pretty amazing," he added.
"So…do you think the hill will work for me this time?" I asked, holding his hand.
"I think it will most certainly uncurl for its second monarch." He smiled.
Our arms wrapped around each other's backs and I felt the hill buckle and roll underneath our feet as we walked forward.