Well, this pretty much wrote itself. It had to, because I honestly had no intentions of writing a second part of this story. But, after such a great response from everybody, and after a plot bunny (or maybe the Easter Bunny) starting jumping around in my head, I just had to write this. Just a short follow-up to The Cold, with lots of insanity and all that fun stuff, all thanks to Halloween Town's illustrious mayor, who has a truly vivid imagination. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this, and thanks to everyone who reviewed the first part.
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The doorbell screamed again. Jack sighed and released Sally. "Who in the name of Halloween-?" He asked with irritation. He scowled. "If this is the mayor…"
Sally smiled slightly. "Should I answer it?" She questioned as the doorbell screamed again.
"Fine…" Jack moaned, rubbing a bony hand over his skull. Sally nodded and stood. With a sigh she went to conquer the stairs again. She paused at the top and called back, "And stay in bed this time!"
The doorbell screamed for a third time, and Sally had to resist the urge to reply with a scream of her own. Instead, she focused her efforts fully on not falling, which was harder then might be supposed. She reached the door and jerked it open, ready to convince the mayor to leave. She was surprised to see the witches there instead.
"What are you doing here?"
"The mayor told us everything." The taller of the witches said as she and her companion hurried into the house.
"Everything about what?" Sally questioned.
"Don't worry about a thing."
"I'm not worried about anything!" Sally declared, shrugging. "Why should I be worried?"
"Denial." The smaller witch clucked, shaking her head.
"Sad." The other agreed.
Sally was about to ask what they were talking about, when the doorbell screamed again.
"That must be the others." One of the witches— Sally wasn't sure which one at the moment, surmised. The rag doll knew better then to ask who 'the others' were. She wasn't even sure she wanted to know.
With a sigh she went to answer the door, and was only a bit surprised to see the Harlequin Demon and the Clown with the Tear Away Face. They gave her consoling smiles and made their way into the manor.
Sally watched helplessly as the house filled to the brim with the towns citizens, each offering his, her, or its help with whatever the problem was. Finally, when no other 'guests' appeared to be coming, she turned to the ones in her house. "I don't mean to be rude…" She began softly, "But why are you here? All at once?"
"Poor dear." One of the witches 'tsk'ed, while another hurried Sally to a chair and motioned for her to sit down.
"Yes," She agreed, shaking her head. "Such a brave girl."
Sally, to humor the witch, sank into the chair, trying to keep the bewildered expression off her face. "What are you—any of you—talking about?"
"There's no need to pretend, dear. We know."
"About what?"
"About Jack."
"What about him?"
There was an uncomfortable pause as the citizens glanced sadly at each other. "About his… re-death."
"What?!"
"The mayor told us that Jack was sick. And going to die—again."
"Jack," Sally said, running a hand through her red hair, "Has a cold. Nothing more."
"He does?" The vampires asked ecstatically. "He's not going to re-die?"
"Of course not!"
"But the mayor said-"
"The mayor was mistaken."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure!"
As if on cue, the doorbell screamed again. Sally sighed and went to answer it. When she did, she felt her blood boil. At least she would have, if she had any. As it were, she only glared at the mayor, who stepped into the house and looked around. "Good. Everyone is here."
"Yes! Because of you!"
"No need to thank me."
"I'm
not! Why did you tell everyone that Jack was on the brink of—of
re-death?!"
"I wanted to help." The mayor said meekly.
"How is this helpful?" Sally said, referencing the chaos around her.
"Well…"
"And what gave you the impression that Jack is going to die again?"
"Isn't he?"
"Sally? Who was at the—what in the name of—"
Jack appeared directly behind Sally, much to the surprise of the rag doll, and the delight of everyone else in the manor.
"Jack! You're not dead!" The Harlequin Demon said joyfully.
"Not
dead!" Behemoth echoed.
"What? Of course I'm dead!" He
took of his head to demonstrate. "See?"
"You're not re-dead." The mayor explained.
"What would give you that idea? That's rid—ridic—ridiculo—achoo!"
"That's what." The mayor responded.
"Well, I'm not, alright? I appreciate your concern, but there really is no need."
The town's denizens nodded in slow understanding. After a moment they began to file out of the manor, each one telling Jack how glad they were that he wasn't dying again, to which the slightly confused skeleton could only nod.
The mayor was the last to leave, still muttering his apologies for the inconvenience. Jack half-heartedly assured him that it hadn't been one, and practically shoved him out of the house.
Finally, when he was sure they were alone, Jack turned to Sally. "Their gone," He said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Now hat was that about, really?"
"The mayor convinced everyone that you were going to die—again. You know how he worries."
"I know, I know." Jack rubbed his temples.
"Well, their gone now. And I think I told you to stay in bed."
Jack hung his head. "Sorry… I wanted to know what all the noise was."
Sally smiled slightly. "Honestly, Jack, you're as bad as a child."
"Sorry." Jack repeated.
"I
forgive you," Sally said, chuckling. "Now get back to bed before
the mayor's story comes true."
"Yes, Sally."
"I can't trust you to do anything I ask." Sally said, shaking her head in mock annoyance.
"Sorry."
"Oh, stop apologizing. You know I don't mean it."
"Sorry."
"Jack!"
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Heh, that was fun. The mayor, as I said, has a vivid imagination.
I had a great time writing this, and I hope you all enjoyed it. Please review!