Chapter 2
It was Halloween and the mayor of Halloweentown's head was constantly on his unhappy face, Boogie's boys were running wild around town with no-one to halt their reign of terror. The squat little mayor hoped, prayed that this year the new pumpkin king would come and restore order to the town.
Jack had made the suit himself, with a little help from his mother. The crooked Pinstripes and long bat bow tie made him look even taller and skinnier than before. Zero was a Ghost dog because; it was very difficult to make a skeleton suit for a dog.
There was just one more thing Jack needed, it was a mask.
Mr Arkwright a kindly man with a slight stutter ran a costume shop down the road and was very fond of Jack and Zero so much so, that after Jack had pre-paid made for him a custom skeleton mask and gloves.
As they walked into the shop Jack saw his mask and gloves lain out for him and put them on, at that moment Mr Arkwright emerged from behind the counter, saw Jack and Zero and being used to their antics took one look at the pair and gave a chuckle. "W -Well you certainly l-look the part, you ter-ter-ter-too Zero" "Yeah" Jack sighed looking down at the ghost dog that was Zero "But I can't help thinking something's missing".
Mr Arkwright pondered this for a moment then "You know what Jack your right" he said digging around in one of his many drawers "Here, I've got one left" and handed it to Jack. It was a small Jack-o-Lantern "put it over his n-n-n-n-nose" Jack did and noticed a small switch "What does this do?" he questioned the shop keeper "Sw-Sw- Turn it on and find out".
The small Jack-o-Lantern lit up "Glows in the dark too, just in case the b-battery r-runs out" "Thanks, but I don't have any money. I forgot to put pockets in" he indicated to his costume "No problem lad, I'll just put it on your tab" "Thanks again Mr Arkwright" Jack and Zero turned to leave. "It's okay Jack. Now, you and Zero here have some trick or treaters to scare and Happy Halloween" Mr Arkwright called before vanishing behind the counter.
The road from Jack's house was long and narrow as they walked down the heard faint screams he raced to the scene Zero at his heels. When they got there they found a man threatening a woman in her late twenty's with a gun.
"Please let me go, I'll give you money just let me go" the woman pleaded
"Oh I'll take your money and let you go but not till I've had my…oomph..." The rapist was tackled and shoved against a wall
"Quick there should be a policeman at the end of the street" Jack urged the woman "Thanks, you saved my life" She called dashing off "You're gonna pay for that" the rapist lunged but missed as Jack dodged him with great ease resulting in the rapist getting his face full of pavement.
"Of course, would you prefer cash or credit?" Jack asked with a smirk
"Ha, funny but not as funny as this" The rapist pulled out his gun.
The next few moments were in slow motion for Jack but to anyone watching it was a blur, Zero leapt at the rapist that let out two shots, one hit Zero in the head and the other missed Zero, the intended target and pierced Jack's heart.
The rapist let out a screech of laughter but it didn't last long, the young lady Jack saved arrived just in time with the police to see her two heroes end.
The police wasted no time and caught the man who was unaware that he'd been seen but, the woman patted Jack's suit while tears streamed down her face silently praying that she would find the identity of her saviour.
On the inside of his jacket in a small pocket was a small card with a name and picture on (his mother had secretly sewn it on just in case).
Just before the police escorted her away, she whispered to her fallen hero "You saved my life, and I'll never forget that. Thank you, Jack Skellington".
Jack was somewhat confused he was floating and surrounded by white light.
"Where am I?" Jack thought aloud "You are everywhere and no where" said a deep commanding voice "who am I and who are you?" "You are Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King and will be for all eternity" "Me, a king? Sorry you've got the wrong guy" "It's too late to change now for I am the spirit of Halloween and we are one"
Everything started to go black.
"No, wait I have questions" Jack called out into the darkness "All will be answered when you are reborn" the voice faded signalling there was nothing left to talk about.
Mean while in Halloweentown unknown to everyone two new graves had appeared one read:
Jack Skellington Died October 31st.
He saved a life, only to lose his own. May his spirit live on.
And the other in the shape of a dog house read:
Zero Died October 31
Loyal friend, faithful companion. Anything but a zero.
May he always be at his master's side.
A/N : I chose to name the shop keeper Mr Arkwright as a tribute to the character played by the late English comic Ronnie Barker, Who sadly died on October 3rd.
So till another chapter that's it please read and review.