Weeks passed without incident. It appeared that Nicholas' headache was indeed the result of a chill, or perhaps just the complaint of a tired child. It was soon forgotten by the prince. His thoughts turned to more interesting things.
"I heard Mama and Dad talking last night. Dad wants to take us all to the Bermuda triangle after Halloween this year. Neat huh?", said Jack jr. Nicholas nodded enthusiastically.
"You heard that? Ooooo, I wonder if we'll go. I want to go. Wait, when'd you hear them Jacky?"
"Last night, like I said. I got up to go to the bathroom and they were talking in their room." Jack jr. answered. He stopped on the sodden pathway to pick up a frog. Jack jr. was gifted with creatures of all kinds. He routinely brought home the sick or injured to recover in his care. "Let's play something.", he announced, replacing the frog among some tall reeds.
Nicholas crinkled his nostrils.
"We better not Jacky. It's almost lunchtime. Mama will worry if we don't come home in time."
If Jack jr. could have rolled his eyes he certainly would have. He and his twin were only recently allowed out of the house for extended periods without the accompaniment of a parent. He was feeling quite independent as of late and took it upon himself to make an executive decision.
"You're it, Nicky!", he said, slapping his brother on the shoulder before tearing off across the swamp. Nicholas sighed. Now he had no choice. He gave chase.

Jack Skellington stood in the town hall, listening to new minor key dirges by the band. Holiday preparations were right on schedule. The Mayor beamed triumphantly by his king's side. What a truly, splendidly, horrendous year they were having! As the band prepared to start a third piece, the town hall doors swung open and a gangly blur sped inside. Jack looked up in surprise.
"Jacky? Gracious, what is the matter?'
In any other case the first born son of the Pumpkin King would have registered his distaste for being called "Jacky" in public. He accepted it from his mother, but really, he was getting too big for a baby name like that. Today however the skeleton child took hold of his father's hand and pulled frantically, urging the King to the door.
"Dad! Dad! Nicky's sick! Really sick! Please hurry!"
Without another thought, Jack scooped up his namesake under one boney arm and disappeared out the door. The mayor spun to pallor. He and the band members exchanged concerned glances.

Nicholas slowly opened his eye sockets, skull pounding. The room was dim, lit by an oil lamp which was turned as low as possible without completely snuffing the flame. Nicholas blinked. He was in his parents' bed.
"Hey! He blinked! He blinked! Nicky's up!", hollered Jack jr. The boys' mother shushed him.
"Jacky, please go let your father know that Nicky's awake.", she whispered. Jack jr. galloped off down the stairs. Sally took a seat on the bed. She leaned down over her son, smiling sweetly. Nicholas felt immensely comforted.
"You gave us quite a scare my little lumpling.", Sally said. She kissed his skull. Do you remember?" The child shook his head. Sally continued.
"Jack says you two were playing and you passed out. He got your father, and they brought you home." She smiled again and nuzzled the prince's nose with hers. Her returned the Eskimo kiss, a long time specialty between the princes and their mother. Sally reached to the nightstand and handed her son a small blue cup filled with liquid.
"Drink this Nicholas. It will help your head."
The boy did as he was told. The drink was lukewarm and tasted vaguely of flowers. A thought stuck the child. How did she know his head was hurting? He opened his mouth to speak. Before the words could find form, Zero, Jack Skellington senior and junior both rushed into the room. Nicholas' twin leapt upon the bed, almost tackling his sibling.
"Ah! Jacky! He is sick, remember?", Sally scolded, but her face still held a gentle smile. "I know you love your brother, just be gentle okay?"
Jack the senior knelt beside the bed and hugged Nicholas.
"You scared me Nicky!"
Warm love and concern flooding over the skeleton boy pushed from his mind the one question he had meant to ask his mother. Sally took the empty cup from the nightstand.

Nicholas slept in between his parents that night. He floated in and out of slumber. At one point his ears registered a familiar growl.
"Wrong room!", Jack said, leaning down, peering under the bed. The thing under the bed responded with embaressment.
"Oh! I'm sorry Jack! Terribly sorry! Terribly! This house is just so large... Listen uh, I'm especially sorry for that last time too, really sorry about that." His voice lowered. Errr...please, uh, please tell your wife I'm sorry too."
Sally groaned and rubbed her head. Beside her, Nicholas faded back to sleep. It was as if he were sinking into cool, deep, water. Sliding into darkness. His father patted his back before falling asleep himself, but Nicholas was already too far away to feel it.