Normally I like surprising my readers, but I'll give you a fair warning this time. If you can't handle the horrifying combination of needle and eyes, you might want to skip to the next line break.

I really should have waited till next Wednesday to post this, since that's the weekly schedule I'm trying to stick to. However, I got excited and wrote ahead of a few chapters. I know I should just keep them to help me stay on schedule, but I wanted to apologize for taking so long with the last update.

Review!

PS. I'm going to be an animator! I got into the school I wanted! Look out PIXAR! :) I suspect I'll have a class on stop-motion someday. Since almost all technical job become obsolete eventually, I'm also going to study business and director studies. One day, I'll be running Disney. Or PIXAR. Or I'll have my own studio. Anyone need a job? XD

And no, I wouldn't make a Nightmare Before Christmas sequel given the chance (unlikely). It's too pure and I'm pretty sure Tim Burton would hate me. He's a pretty edgy guy I think. Possessive. In fact, if a coworker pitches a sequel, I'll pitch a fit.

Chapter 12

Iatrophobia and Clothes

Dr. Finklestein muttered incoherently in between scolding Jack and Anna in turns as he wheeled around his lab, purposely ignoring the newcomer's curious stare.

And her panicky discomfort.

Anna wasn't sure what to think of Finklestein. She couldn't put a name to whatever kind of creature he was, though the best description she could come up with was "cranky-zombie-dentist" with a flip top skull that he opened up to scratch his brain. The squeaking sound made her cringe.

She was also keenly aware of the presence of electricity. She had been under the impression that there wasn't such a thing in Halloween town. It was a small comfort to learn that Halloween Town was a bit more modern than she initially thought.

Her attention wasn't on the technology, but rather on the leather and metal restraints that held her to the operation table. She was started to feel that panic again. One moment she was leaning back on the table looking around at all the equipment, the next the Doctor is cinching down straps.

That was not okay. Not in the slightest.

"Excuse me," she whispered with a watery gurgle in her "throat."

"Run this by me again, Jack," the Mad Scientist grumbled, "Why is the newcomer sitting on my table soaking wet and sneezing water out of her skull?"

Jack shifted, "Funny story actually. You see, Zero apparently got a little restless and…"

"Excuse me!" Anna snapped rudely, "I don't mean to interrupt, but are these straps necessary?! Achoo!"

Finklestein looked little exasperated about the water that sprayed out. "Depends on how much you plan to squirm while I'm draining your skull of water, my dear."

Anna was quiet for a moment and pulled against the restraints, "Will it hurt?"

"Of course no-."

"Doctor…" Jack coughed.

"Right…she's young. Ah. Well, not very much," Finklestein said, "But I have medicine that will dull the discomfort if you like."

Anna would have blanched even more if she could. "Please," she squeaked like a frightened child.

She sneezed again, this one more painful as the liquid knocked against the inside of her skull.

"I'll be quick, my dear," the Doctor assured, wheeling over. In reality, he was used to strapping down all his patients. It simply made them easier to deal with. It really wasn't necessary- just a habit.

But he was a little worried about the skeleton girl struggling.

Anna's sockets widened as he held up a syringe with a ridiculously long and large gauged needle.

What on earth was that thing for?!

"Drink this," Finklestein ordered, holding a small cup of foul-smelling liquid to Anna's mouth.

She coughed and gagged a bit. That was weird since she shouldn't have a gag reflex in the first place.

"Yuck. What is that?"

"Very diluted Deadly Nightshade. You should start feeling numb right about now."

Anna tried to ignore how disturbingly chipper he seemed, in a creepy old man sort of way.

She flinched as the doctor put a few drops of the medicine in her left socket for good measure. She tried to blink it away, but that just made it go deeper.

He was right about the numbness.

Anna immediately didn't like it. She found it even harder than normal to focus on things close up.

She probably needed reading glasses anyway.

She looked toward Jack for help only to find the blurry tip of the needle poised directly in front of her left eye socket.

He wouldn't...

Before she could protest, the needle went right through where her eyeball would be and into her skull.

Anna cried out.

"Don't blink," Finkelstein warned as she gasped and tried to sluggishly struggle.

Blink?! How could she dare to blink while someone was shoving a giant needle in her eye!

She froze and stared straight ahead in horror, too afraid to move.

She could feel the needle, but she was only aware of it, there wasn't any pain. Well, there was a little, but it came across as a faint ice cream headache, not what she would expect to feel if she was human.

Otherwise there would be screaming involved rather than horrified silence.

"That was awful," Anna shuddered, eager to leave as she quick-stepped away from the Doctor's tower ahead of Jack. She ignored the Doctor and his wife calling for her to visit again soon.

"Slow down, Miss Anna," Jack said, amused at her. "It wasn't that bad."

"No, it was worse! I didn't agree to that!" she squeaked.

"When I said we needed the Doctor to help get the water out, what were you expecting?" Jack inquired.

"Not that!" Anna shuddered again and rubbed her socket. It was still numb.

"Watch where you're going," Jack warned as he noticed she almost ran into a wall on her left.

His warning came a second too late, and Anna's shoulder grazed the wall.

"Don't tell me I have to do that every time I decide to go for a swim," Anna pleaded, rubbing her now sore arm with a dry, scratchy sound.

"No," Jack laughed, enjoying Anna's currently affronted personality as she opened up due to her violation. "Just this one time. But you seemed very distressed about the sloshing, and you were sneezing a lot, so I figured we should get most of it out quickly."

Anna muttered something about how ordinary people don't strap down guests and stick needles in their eyes like it's an entirely okay thing to do.

"At least we got your check-up I asked for out of the way," Jack noted, not hearing her. He spoke a bit distractedly, more to himself than her.

It was true. Anna had passed out from the fear for a minute, and the doctor took the opportunity to reattach her rib, testing how fast her ligaments regenerated.

When she came to, and they finished draining the water, Jack had to snap at her to sit still as Finklestein tested her joints. She didn't want to be touched and was keen to leave.

They also tested her hearing, sight, dexterity, and reflexes.

Her hearing was excellent, and her reflexes had dramatically improved from when she first arrived.

Her dexterity would improve with time, the doctor assured her.

The only thing Finklestein seemed concerned with was that Anna seemed to be a little farsighted. He brushed it off quickly enough, perhaps hoping it would adjust in time, like her dexterity.

He made a written note nonetheless, and Anna made a mental note to ask about reading glasses later.

She had needed them when alive, so in some ways it made sense that she needed them now, and not so much sense in others- like the physical impossibility of her to have eye problems when she didn't have eyes to begin with.

"Here they come now."

Anna looked up to see the witches she was staying with speaking to Sally and the Mayor.

Anna adjusted her dress. It was mostly dry now at least. Still a little damp.

"How was it?" Sally asked kindly.

"He shoved a needle in my eye," Anna deadpanned with a shudder and face.

"And?"

Anna gaped at them. "How is that normal to you?!"

The monsters looked at her confused and didn't answer.

"Was that scary?" Helgamine asked

"YES!"

"Well, there you go dear."

"What?"

"Dr. Finklestein represents the phobia of doctor and dentist and the like," Jack explained offhandedly, as if he shouldn't have to explain it. "Whatever he does tends to be something to be feared."

Anna frowned, "Iatrophobia?"

"Splendid, Anna!" Jack praised, straightening.

"Impressive," Zeldabourne nodded, "Looks like you're already ahead in your schooling."

Anna was about to ask what she meant when Jack asked her a question.

"Humor me for a moment, young lady," Jack said, "What is…fear of witches?"

Anna tilted her head, "I have the feeling you already know…"

"I did ask you to humor me."

"Wiccaphobia?"

"Correct!" Jack and the other adults seemed absolutely delighted. "Fear of darkness. Quickly now."

"Noctopho-," Anna corrected herself, "Wait no- nyctophobia."

"Good. Fear of the Wind."

"Ancraophobia," Anna replied, taking the quizzing in stride, though puzzled.

"Yes," Jack said, "Fear of dolls?"

Anna noticed that he was asking of fears relating to each of the present company. Except maybe the wind and darkness. Those weren't people. Right?

"Pediophobia. I think. That sounds more like the fear of children…"

"No, you're right," the Mayor said.

Sally nodded with a smile.

"Fear of politicians," Jack said.

Zeldabourne snorted while the Mayor glared at her.

That one was tough. Anna had to guess. "Um…Politiophobia."

"Close. Politi-co-phobia," Jack said, "Fear of skeletons."

"Eh…I don't think there's a name," Anna admitted, "Necrophobia? But that's dead things in general."

"Skelephobia," Jack supplied. "But good try."

"Oh…that makes sense," Anna muttered.

"You know of more phobias than most humans. What a terrible surprise!" Jack said.

Anna shook off the odd choice of words, "My therapist made me learn about different fears so that I knew what to sympathize with since I couldn't feel those fears myself. I just turned it into another game."

They weren't even fazed by the mention of a therapist.

"Why did you ask me about those?" she folded her arms in front of her defensively.

Jack seemed to almost jump at the opportunity to explain, but quickly sobered and decided to let the Mayor explain. He really needed to start backing off.

"We all represent certain fears of the world in one way or another," the Mayor said proudly.

Anna stared at him for a moment. Then smirked, "So who's supposed to be the fear of lamps?"

"Certain fears. We're all a little scarier than lighting houseware," Helgamine laughed.

"Am I supposed to be something? A Fear?" Anna asked glancing away awkwardly. It seemed like an arrogant question.

"That's for you to figure out."

"Oh…Is there something I'm supposed to be doing right now?" They all seemed busy, and she felt like she was keeping them from something. She didn't want to be a bother.

Sally perked up, "Actually, Harlequin was just here looking for you."

"Already?"

Sally nodded, gesturing for Anna to follow her. "I'll see you later, Jack." She blew him a quick kiss.

Jack smiled happily and waved them off while the Witches and the Mayor went back to work.

"Smart girl," Mayor muttered as he passed Jack. "I wonder where she got it from."

Jack glared at him.

Don't speak like that in public you fool!

Of course, Jack wouldn't say something so rude out loud.

"Alright you can look now."

Anna cautiously opened one socket, then the other and gasped at the sight.

Three sets of clothing and a long coat were laid out before her, Harlequin grinning at her with utter pride.

They looked great! Both casual and elegant at the same time.

The two blouses and one dress all had a similar style. The shirts were both black, but one was working- casual with cute purple flowers along the hems, the other semi-formal with pure jet black satin. The dress was bluish-black satin with black spider web lace and the same purple flowers along the bottom hem. There were also two turtleneck undershirts and two pairs of black dress pants.

Her fingers traced the spider web lace in awe.

"How did you do this so fast, Mr. Harlequin!?" she asked incredulously, "I only saw you a couple hours ago."

"I have a lot of practice." Harlequin frowned. "Do you like the lace on the dress? I wasn't sure about it, but Sally suggested…"

"I…I love it. I like lace. It's just…heh…"

"Is something wrong?" Sally asked.

Anna smiled sheepishly, "It just looks a lot like my old dress. The one that got burnt. Except that was white. The rags are in the room where I'm staying."

"Well if you don't like it…"

"No! I like it. Love it. Really," Anna assured while petting the dress.

It was really the coat that caught her eye. A slim jacket with long sleeves and a hem that reached her knees. It didn't seem like it was supposed to be worn buttoned all the way down, but rather trail behind her like coattails. The outside was a faint pinstripe design, just like Jack's, though subtle with gray instead of white lines. The inner lining looked like a spider web print.

And the bottom hem was lined with little tiny pumpkins.

She frowned, knowing where this was going. It concerned her, to say the least. But she shook off the uncomfortableness.

"It's very nice."

"They aren't done," Harlequin said a little snappishly. "You need to try them on so I can make some adjustments."

She blinked at the snap, embarrassed, but took the clothes and went to the back-room Harlequin and Sally gestured to.

It took just as much effort as she expected it to get her lanky form through the pant legs. She decided to try the pants and semi-formal shirt first.

"Alright it there?" Sally called after hearing Anna fall against the door with a loud thud.

"Yep! I'm good. Just…uh… a few…technical….difficulties. Pants…"

The skeleton and Harlequin didn't understand why Sally suddenly snorted and tried not to laugh.

She failed, and Anna could picture her struggling to stand through her giggles.

Anna was already feeling vulnerable and embarrassed for goodness sake!

She almost didn't want to look in the mirror. But she had to make sure.

She lifted her gaze to stare at the reflection in the cracked mirror and jumped despite herself.

Stupid fear.

There stood a tall, spindly black and white creature with crooked teeth and empty black sockets, wearing clothes that were suspiciously like what it wore in her dream.

Except for the shoes. She looked a little ridiculous standing around in nice clothes barefoot.

She grinned weakly as a test, and the reflection gave a scary, snarl in return. But…her eyes were sad, empty in more ways than one.

The dream she had before she died...

She hadn't forgotten, she just chose to ignore it. It was only a couple of days ago, but it already felt like so long ago, like another life. Which it was, she supposed.

She wondered if visions were an actual thing. If so, she wanted to kick herself for not knowing that dream was a warning. Could she have prevented this?

Wasn't today just a roller-coaster of emotion?

She lifted her hand and gently touched the image of her face in the glass, half expected the glass to burn her just as it did in her dream.

Nothing. The cold glass met her fingers, and she marveled at the detail in her hand for a moment.

"Anna? You alright? You went a bit too quiet," Harlequin called.

"Huh? Oh. Coming!"

The delight in the monsters' faces almost made Anna smile as well. Their enthusiasm was infectious.

"How do I look?"

"Horrible! Absolutely terrible," Harlequin said with something akin to joy.

"You look fantastic, Anna," Sally beamed. "Thank you."

"Y-you're welcome? I should be thanking you. You worked hard," Anna said, fiddling with a button.

"Oh no! This is my gift to you. I'm simply honored you came to me for assistance. Now get over here, please. The collar is a little loose, and the sleeves are a bit too long." Harlequin called her over to a step stool.

Anna obeyed, this time, and let the weird monster look the clothes over.

"Hmm…"

Anna noticed that he fussed with his orange and green spiky fur coat when thinking. Was it his own fur or was it his clothing? She really couldn't tell. What about his "sleeves?" They were definitely fur…maybe feathers…with little spikes at the tips?

"How soon until they are completely done?"

"Oh, you should be able to take them home today. I told Jack it would take much longer, but I seem to have made enough lucky guesses," he said, claws busy with pins and needles.

"I suppose you were right about those three inches," Anna couldn't help but shyly smirk. She wiggled her hips in a little dance.

Sally burst out laughing while Harlequin seemed mortified.

"Let's never speak of that, please… The town will never let me live it down."

"It's maybe a little late for that, friend," Sally giggled apologetically.

Harlequin swore under his breath. "Brilliant. Moments like these, I wish we weren't immortal."

"Aw…" Sally pat the distraught monster on the back with a chuckle. She handed him one of the pins she had stuck in her wrist for safekeeping. She and the head tailor had gotten into a habit of using her as a pincushion sometimes.

Harlequin pouted, for lack of a better word, and took the pin to continue working.

Anna stared down at them from the top of the fitting stool. They didn't notice the sudden distress on her face.

Immortal?

Anna stayed for another hour or so until the adjustments were carried out before she left, Sally walking with her back to the Witches' Shop.

"You have your own clothes now," Sally said cheerfully.

"I…like them." Anna cast her socket toward the bundle in her hands.

"But you're frowning?"

Anna slowed, "Did Mister Jack tell you our agreement?"

"No, I don't believe so," Sally said cautiously. She looked at the girl patiently, trying to give off the air of a person who would always listen. Sally really liked this girl, though perhaps she could sympathize with her because of her vision with the music box.

"I might be leaving…" Anna said awkwardly, "The clothes are perfect and all, but I feel sorry to take them if I decide to eventually leave." Anna flinched, worried about what Sally or the others monsters would think of her possible decision.

"But where would you go?" Sally said worriedly. No one ever left as far as she knew.

Anna shrugged, eyes downcast.

"Can I do anything to convince you to stay?" Sally said almost desperately. The girl just got here, and she already wanted to leave? Did Sally do something wrong? She thought she was being nice.

"It's not your fault, Ms. Sally," Anna said, unintentionally easing Sally's fears a little, "And I'm not leaving yet. Mr. Skellington asked me to give the town a chance. I don't have to but… I…I really don't know what I want. This is all…so weird."

Sally fretted for a moment, "I do hope you decide to stay. You already fit in so well here."

Anna looked confused. "I do?"

Sally nodded fervently as the Witches' Shop came into view. "You don't seem so afraid of us anymore. I know we must look strange to human eyes, which you still have if you remember your life, but Jack said you're adapting so quickly given the situation. And you played with Zero so comfortably."

"I didn't have much choice with that…" Anna muttered.

Sally giggled.

Anna jumped when Sally gently pulled her to a stop and held the girl's shoulders, looking her in the sockets with a kind, almost motherly-yet-childish smile.

"I do hope you decide to stay," she said.

Anna glanced away. "T-thanks. And thanks for the company."

"Of course! Come by Skellington Manor anytime. It's the big black house on the cliff off the town square. I'll make tea!"

Anna nodded as Sally waved goodbye and left.

The skeleton's thoughts were preoccupied with the eventfulness of the day as the Witches immediately gushed over her clothes like doting busybody aunts the second she walked in the store.

Author's note: Don't be confused. Not everyone is a specific fear. Every citizen is fear personified. They all can scare. But there's a few of them that specialize. These one's tend to end up in This is Halloween eventually.

Hm. I wonder what Anna would represent one day?