Chapter 19: Tearing Me Apart.
A knock sounded on the door to the bedroom as Meg cried on her bed. When she heard the knock she looked up.
"Come in..." The door opened and a ragdoll woman stepped in, frowning in concern.
"Honey I know you're upset, but your father and I would like to show you something. You've been inside for days now, with no one to talk to..."
"I've been talking to Sam." Meg lazily pointed at the half burned figure sitting by her dresser. "He's still grasping conversation though." Sally walked over and stroked the skeleton's hair.
"Well I think this surprise might be able to help. Come, your father is already at Grandpa's waiting for us." Sally smiled, helping her daughter to her feet. They walked downstairs, out the door, through the square, across to the giant metal door that led to the lab.
"Jack, we're here!" Sally called. At once a tall skeleton waved from over the top of a tall, spiral ramp.
"Up here, quickly! We're just about ready!" Meg was confused. Ready for what? She thought. Nonetheless she followed her mother up the ramp. When they reached the top Jack led them into the Doctor's lab, a sheet covering something lieing on the table. Finklestein was shutting off one of his gadgets.
"There's my granddaughter! Your parents told me about your behavior these past few days...so they asked for my help. I think this is just the thing to fix all your problems...Sally, would you like to have the honors?" Sally smiled and walked over, gently pulling the sheet away. Meg gasped. There, lieing on the table, was a young ragdoll. Her skin, sewn in patches, looked like Sally's. Her hair was long, the color of dark wood, like the hinterlands at night. Her dress was elegant, white with black pinstripes. The sleeves came up above her wrists, flaring out. Her skirt had a spider web design overlay, with rufflled layers beneath. Simple black heels and a small bat topping the bust of her dress completed the look.
"Who is she?" Meg looked at her family. Jack grinned.
"Her name is Breann. Brea for short. She's your sister." Meg stared at her new sister in awe. She eagerly turned to her grandfather. "Can I meet her?"
"Of course you can. Alright Breann, wake up." The doctor gently nudged her. Wide, curious eyes opened, looking around the lab. She sat up and smiled.
"Where am I? Who am I? Who are you?" Meg smiled.
"Your in our grandparents lab. Your name is Breann Skellington. My sister! I'm Meg, and these are our parents! Jack the pumpkin king and Sally!" Brea stared in wonder. "Sister? Parents? I have a family?" She stood up, nearly falling to the floor. Jack caught her quickly.
"Careful, you're not used to moving around yet. Take it slow and easy okay?" Brea nodded. "Okay Jack, Sally." Sally giggled, hugging the ragdoll.
"You can call us Mom and Dad. Or Mama and Papa, whichever your prefer." Brea hugged them both. "Okay. Mom, dad." She then grabbed her sister excitedly. "I want to see my home! Please, show me?"
"I think that's a great idea! Meg, why don't you show Brea the town?" Sally suggested.
"Okay! Come on Brea! This way!" Meg grabbed her sister's hand and ran with her out of the lab. Jack looked at Sally. "I'll be home later, Sally. I have unfinished business to take care of."
...
"Lock come on! You've been moping for days now! She'll come around..." The witch was quickly greeted with a retort.
"No she won't! She hates me! And I don't blame her...I deserve this..." When a knock sounded at the mausoleum door, the devil groaned. "Barrel I'm not coming outside." "That wasn't me, Lock! Someone's here!" There was a hint of nervousness in his voice. Shock quickly ran up the steps and opened the door. She paled when she saw Jack standing there, next to a shaking Barrel.
"Where is he." Jack demanded.
"Ins-side, sir..." Shock answered. Jack handed her a basket to her surprise. She looked at Jack.
"You and Barrel go inside and eat. Save some for Lock. Tell him I want to see him out here. And it ISN'T a request."
"Yes, Jack, sir!" Barrel quickly followed Shock inside.
"Lock! It's Jack! He wants to talk to you."
"More like kill me..." The devil, surprisingly, stood up, not bothering to argue.
"It was nice knowing you guys..." with that Lock walked up the steps, shutting the door behind him. He looked up at Jack. "Can you make my death quick? I want to get it over with..." Jack's sockets widened.
"What are you talking about? I'm not here to kill you. I'm here to find out what happened. Sit down." Lock was taken aback for a moment. Then he sat down reluctantly. Jack sat beside him.
"Now, what happened?"
"We were at Spiral Hill, taking a walk. I was about to tell her the truth. About Oogie, about wanting to use her...about falling in love..." Jack was surprised. His expression softened.
"Then...HE showed up. He told her everything! I tried to explain but he beat me to it! She was so upset...She ran off...He ruined everything...for both of us! He warned me not to tell her or else...But I couldn't take it anymore! The guilt was too much. I thought I could protect her if I told her. I was prepared to lose her to keep her safe from him and Oogie...I'm sorry Jack..." The devil choked on a sob as tears spilled from his eyes and down his face.
"You did that...for her?" Lock nodded. Jack wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a hug. Lock was shocked at the kind gesture. The last of his walls broke down. He released his tears and sobbed. He hugged back tightly. They sat like that for several minutes until the devil had no more tears left.
"Hey Jack...You make a good dad..." Jack smiled warmly at his words.
"And you'd make a pretty good son..."
