I just noticed how long it's been since I posted! I'm so sorry! I won't take as long this time...at least I don't think I will...

Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.

Chapter Seven

"Get upstairs!" Sally said. Her eyes had widened considerably, and she gently pushed Tera up the stairs, following her. They crouched at the top, out of sight, waiting. Tera realized after a moment that Sally was gripping her hand, her face serious.

The door opened, moving her attention back down the stairs. Jack entered, pausing in the door to sweep his vision around the room and make sure they weren't there. Then he stepped in, letting the three little children in after him. Tera had to hold back a shudder as they filed in. The first was a little witch, with very scraggly hair, limited to about ten strands, wearing a smooth mask, purple dress, and tall, purple witch's hat. Her name was Shock. The next was a small boy, his horned mask bright red, and he had a devil suit on, complete with a tail that actually moved when he wanted it to. He was Lock. The last one was smaller than both of them, with a skeleton mask, and a skeleton costume. He carried a lollipop that was the exact replica of the one that had been in the woods, and his name was Barrel.

"So," Jack said, turning to face them, "What is it you needed?"

Shock butted ahead first before the others could speak, pulling off her mask. "We were on a mission," she said importantly.

"What sort of mission?" he asked patiently.

"We had to kidnap a mortal girl!" Lock said.

Kidnap the mortal girl, throw her in a box…

Since they were viewing him from behind, neither Sally nor Tera could see his face, but they saw his long arms cross over his chest. "A mortal girl?"

Barrel nodded enthusiastically. "And we got her, too!"

"But she got away," Shock said. "We got her here, and now we can't find her!"

"We were wondering if you had seen her," Lock said.

"Why did you need to kidnap her?" Jack asked, as if uninterested. Boogie's Boys glanced nervously at each other.

"Uhh…" Shock tried to find words.

"Don't know," Barrel said finally. Jack must have given him a skeptical look, because the child looked down towards the floor.

"Well, I haven't seen her," Jack said. "If I do, I'll be sure to send word."

"Thank you Jack!" Shock said, her voice almost rising to a squeal. "Okay boys, let's go!" She put her mask back on and ran out the door, quickly followed by Lock and Barrel.

As soon as the door shut he strode up the stairs, and Tera and Sally moved back, standing.

"I'm sure of it now," he said to Tera. "Oogie Boogie's after you." He sighed in frustration. "What I can't figure out, however, is what he wants with you."

Sally was looking out the window of the tower. She turned swiftly all of a sudden. "The doctor's going back to his house," Sally said. "I have to go." She smiled kindly at Tera. "Good luck."

Tera could only manage a small smile in return. For some reason, Tera didn't think she would be having much luck against Oogie Boogie.

Tera and Jack stood in silence for a moment. Finally Jack said, "Tera, I need to find out why Oogie Boogie has this odd interest in you. I have to go and speak to the Doctor."

"You're leaving me here?" she said. "Oh, please, don't leave me. I don't want to be alone, not when they're just outside-"

"Tera," he said softly, "You're going to be fine." Her wide, frightened eyes stared up at him, and he put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"I'm over-reacting, aren't I?" she said. Her head didn't even reach his shoulders as he smiled down at her.

"Just a bit," he said. "Believe me, you'll be fine."

She took a deep breath to try and calm herself down. "Okay. Thanks, Jack."

"Not a problem," he said. He removed his arm from her shoulders and went to the stairs, pausing to glance back at her. "Don't leave here, you'll be safe. Zero's here with you, and if there's an emergency, I take it you know where to find Sally?" A wry smile touched his face, and she smiled and nodded.

He paused to give her a hug. His body was surprisingly warm and comforting, not hard and bony, as she had expected. His arms were practically long enough to wrap around her three times.

"Thanks," she said again as he let go. He nodded and, with a smile, disappeared down the spiral staircase. She watched him go with a cold ball of terror settling in her chest; for some reason, she knew something was going to go wrong.