A CINDERELLA HORROR

Shock hummed as she boiled up the pot, stirring the murky water. Barrel had gone to start searching, and Lock was meant to be watching their prisoner. He couldn't bring himself to look at her; her mournful face, dark brunette hair, skinny arms and legs so pale, so very very pale…Snapping out of his daze, he thought of an idea.

"Why Shock," he said carefully, "you must be bored. Why don't you start searching for those other people so we can get out of here quicker?" He whispered, "Barrel's not exactly going to help with things, is he?"

Shock, absolutely falling for his plan sneered, "Yeah, that stupid git can't even see in the dark. But can I trust you not to make a mess of things? It's an awful lot of responsibility." She sniggered and said, "I think I'll stay around to make sure things go right."

"Get out of here. I can do this little thing," he snarled, snatching the stick and stirring the pot.

"Okay then, if you say so." She crossed the room and went down some stairs. Lock ran to the window and watched her appear at the bottom of the mansion and scurry towards town.

"Okay, good," he muttered. Turning, he brought himself to look at Annabelle. She sat cross-legged on the floor; leant against a pole, her head craned to rest on her shoulder. Hurrying over to her, Locks hands worked quickly to unbind her, and she stirred sleepily.

"Hurry! Wake up!" He hissed, nudging her.

"Wha?"

"No time!" helping her to her feet, Lock pulled her into the cage and tugged a lever on the wall. The cage shook, and started going down. Annabelle backed away from him, watching with wide eyes.

Rocking vigorously the cage came to a stop, and Lock sprang out. He looked back and saw Annabelle still standing there with her eyes on him.

"Come on! What are you waiting for?" he said angrily.

"Why are you helping me?"

Lock started. He suddenly realized what his actions would cause. Shock wouldn't trust him with anything. He would be punished by Oogie Boogie. And all for her? Why did he care what happens to her? Why did he care?

"Do you want to get eaten?" he said quickly.

Shaking her head roughly she jumped out of cage and ran to him. They darted outside across the bridge, into a forest of dead trees.

"Get to town, quickly!" he said pointing in the direction.

"Thank you."

Annabelle ran; her hair and dress whipping around her as she headed for the dim lights. At that moment Lock thought that all the trouble that he caused and all the shame that would come with it would be worth it. For her, anything is worth it. He stared after she had gone, longing to start after her, but he knew he could not. He could never.

Turning he scurried back to the mansion, trying to come up with a story. As he rode the cage back up the tower he noticed a gleam of light reflecting off something on the floor. Squinting, he picked it up. In his hands lay a beautiful gold tiara with little black hearts on its sides. Smiling, he exited the cage and sat on the floor, just staring at it.