Chapter 3: Losing Hope

Jack paced the living room as a sigh escaped him. Sally came into the room and when the skeleton looked at her, she sadly shook her head. "She's still not talking," the ragdoll said.

The Pumpkin King clenched his fists angrily before looking sad. "I promised her, Sally," he said softly. "I promised she'd never have to face that monster again."

"I know, Jack, but it's not your fault," she said. "The Beldam used a spell to sneak in here. Wybie managed to stop her somewhat from taking Coraline, though we don't know where our daughter is right now, at least we know she's not with that horrible being."

Jack nodded. "True," he said. "I...I just hope she's safe, wherever she is."

"We've taught her to be careful, Jack," Sally said gently. "She's no doubt in a good place and looking to get back home."

He nodded. "You're right, dear," he said, smiling gently at his wife and patting the hand she had rested on his arm. "I just...I want Coraline to come back home."

"As do I and Wybie and the others," the ragdoll pointed out, her voice still gentle.

A knock came at the door and Jack went to answer it, finding it to be Dr. Finklestein and Jewel, the woman carrying Wybie, who looked relaxed now, though his face was bandaged. "Thankfully, the damage was minor," the doctor said as they stepped inside. "Any word on where that beast took our Coraline?"

"Not a word, Doctor," Jack said in despair. "She's up to something, but she refuses to tell us."

"Whatever it is, it can't be good," Jewel said as she gently set her grandson down and he looked sad before looking at his parents.

"Mom? Dad?" He asked.

"Yes, honey?" Sally asked.

Tears began to flow down the boy's face and he hugged his parents. "I'm...I'm sorry I couldn't protect her," he sobbed out.

"Oh, son," Jack said, stroking the boy's head gently. "You did everything you could to help your sister and you did succeed in keeping the Beldam from getting away with her plan, even if she did send your sister somewhere."

Black Cat came into the room then. "Well, Coraline's not in the Other World," he said. "I looked all over."

"She was going to send Coraline there, but when that device got smashed, I think it changed the coordinates," Wybie said.

"Most likely," the cat said in agreement.

"Father, did you by chance get to look at that device?" Sally asked.

"I did," Dr. Finklestein said with a nod. "It's a teleporting device, but whoever made it created it with materials that are surprisingly delicate. One wrong button pressed or hitting it too hard would have made it fall apart."

"That would explain why she was so mad when it got destroyed," Wybie said before looking at Black Cat. "You're sure she's not in that world?" He asked.

"One-hundred percent sure," the cat said with a nod. "I looked everywhere, even in the tunnels. Not a trace of her."

"I believe that means we can rule out that Coraline is there, though without a doubt the Beldam was going to take her there," Jack said. "In the meantime, any ideas on how to get her to talk?"

"We could sic the trick-or-treaters on her, but then again, Barrel did barely escape her when she went after him," the doctor said.

"Even the worst prank they could pull wouldn't make her talk," Wybie said, shaking his head.

Sally looked thoughtful before perking up. "Well, we know she's afraid of fire," she said. "Especially pumpkin fire."

"But even I can't keep my pumpkin form up for hours on end, my love," Jack pointed out.

Jewel perked up. "Maybe you don't have to," she said. "Jack, is your pumpkin fire any different looking from human fire?"

"No," the skeleton replied before looking at the woman and smiling. "Ah, I think I see what you are driving at."

Black Cat perked up. "Clever," he said. "Make her think it's pumpkin fire and you might get a confession out of her."

"It will take some time though," Dr. Finklestein said before smiling. "But I might have something that could work."

After settling on a plan, they nodded and got to work, going into the room where the Beldam was tied up in a cage and a cover was over the cage to prevent her from seeing anything. The family got to work, setting up dirt all over the floor of the room before setting the logs up. But these logs were special logs, ones that would burn forever unless put out with water. Setting them up, they lowered the Beldam's cage to a bit over the logs before Jack tore away the covering, making the creature hiss and growl. "I'll give you another chance, Beldam," he said, glaring at her. "Where is my daughter?"

"Gone forever, Your Majesty," she spat at him.

"Why did you try to grab her?" Sally asked.

"She's mine!" The Beldam shrieked. "You took her away from me!"

"Hmm, you don't see to be in a talking mood," Jack said. "Doctor, if you'd be so kind?"

"Of course, Jack," Dr. Finklestein said before glaring at the Beldam. "I haven't forgotten what you did to poor Barrel, but this time, going after my granddaughter, you've crossed the line." He gestured around him. "Now, you will learn what happens when you cross this family."

"Family?" She spat out before pointing at Wybie. "That brat and the other one aren't even your children! They're mine!"

Wybie stood up straighter. "You never were my mom," he said. "You just created me and then tossed me away later on."

"Doesn't sound like motherly love to me," Jewel said firmly.

Jack nodded. "I agree," he said. "Beldam, you've been warned, but you've ignored the warnings. Now...you will face your greatest fear."

With that, he snapped his fingers, causing a ball of flame to appear in his hand. The Beldam's eyes widened in fear before the logs beneath the cage caught fire, making her flinch in fear. "If you escape, you face the fire," the skeleton said firmly. "It will only go out when you tell us where Coraline is and what your plans were for her."

The monster didn't speak, too focused on the fire that glowed brightly and she shivered in her cage, showing that for all her bravado, the Pumpkin King could still scare her. Jack motioned everyone to leave and he followed them out, closing the door behind him. "We'll give her some time to think about it," he said.

A knock came at the door and Wybie answered it to find the monsters all gathered around the house and from the looks on their faces and the way some of them held their hats nervously in their hands, they didn't have good news. Jack raised his hands and all the monsters looked up to him with the respect he earned from them.

"My loyal subjects, what news do you bring?" He asked, hoping there was at least some good news.

"We searched all over, Jack," one of the vampires said.

"Even in Oogie Boogie's old lair," Shock said, shivering a little as she clung to her mother, who rubbed her back reassuringly.

"But we've found no trace of Coraline," Clown said sadly.

Jack felt his bones grow heavy at hearing that before a jingling sound made them all look up and there was Santa Claus, who landed his sleigh down and the monsters stepped back, politely nodding their heads to the leader of Christmas Town.

"Oh, Sandy," the skeleton said, his voice taking a pleading tone. "Please tell us you have some good news about Coraline."

"I have both good news and bad news, I'm afraid, Jack," Santa Claus said.

"The bad news?" Sally asked in worry.

"Wherever the Beldam sent her, I cannot find the child for some reason," the normally jolly man said. "But...the good news is I am certain Coraline is alive and somewhere safe for now."

"How do you know that if you can't find her?" Wybie asked, trying not to offend Santa with his question.

The leader of Christmas Town didn't take offense as he knew the boy didn't know about his powers. "I can tell when a child is in danger, naughty, or nice, Wybie," he said gently. "While I haven't found Coraline, I can sense that she is happy, which leads me to believe someone good found her."

Dr. Finklestein looked relieved to hear that, as did the others. "Sandy, is there anything we can do to extend our search?" Jack asked.

"Unless the Beldam tells us where the child is, I'm afraid there is little more we can do," Santa said, his voice sad. "But I swear to you, I will keep searching and if I find anything, I will inform you all at once."

"Thank you, Sandy," Sally said, tears in her eyes as she knew he would keep his word.

"I'll keep searching through the realms," Black Cat promised. "There may be a few that I haven't explored yet."

"Be careful when you do, Black Cat," Jack requested. "It would be horrible if we lost you too."

"I will," the cat promised before heading away while the others looked at Jack.

"We'll keep our eyes open for Coraline, Jack," Mr. Hyde said.

"We won't rest until the Pumpkin Princess is back home safe and sound," the Mayor promised.

"Thank you all," Jack said, grateful for their help and their promise. "Hopefully, Coraline will return soon."

Sally hugged him, as did Wybie while Jewel and Dr. Finklestein hugged each other, their hope fraying down to a small ray.

Looks like Jack and the others are preparing for the worst news, but will the Beldam admit what her plan was? Stay tuned! :)

Next up: we see how Coraline has settled in living with Balan and Lance. :)

Please leave a review, but no flames! :)

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