Chapter 3: Girl and the Skeleton
(Will's POV)
"J… J-Jack Skellington!" I exclaimed.
"Why yes," he answered, "but uh… How did you know that?"
Crap. How was I supposed to explain this? 'Oh hi, I'm just a girl from the real world, and I happen to be the biggest fan of your movie, which I've seen like a billion times since I was six.' Yeah, that would make a whole lot of sense.
"Well I… um… um…" I had to think of something. I tried recalling the words from Jack's Lament. One particular line about England and France came to mind. "Who doesn't know the infamous Pumpkin King, known throughout the world as the most terrifying being of them all?" Please buy it, please buy it.
"Well I guess that's true," he finally answered. "Now, perhaps you could give me my hand." He pointed down to where I'd dropped his hand.
Lowering my gaze I noticed his left sleeve was dangling about from the absent limb. I snapped out of my daze and reached down for the arm. I picked it up and handed Jack his arm. He took it and reconnected the joints. He lifted his arms and flexed his fingers.
"Ah, that's much better," he said before turning back to me. "Thank you Miss…"
"Name's Will." I reached out my hand. "I guess you already met my dog." He then enclosed my hand in his long bony fingers. I was surprised how calm I was as I shook hands with the skeleton.
"That's a dog?" Jack looked over at Mogwai who was still hiding behind me. "Why doesn't he have a nose?"
I laughed. "He's a pug" I reached behind me and picked him up for Jack to see. I pointed to his nose. "Pugs just have that face that looks like they ran into a wall. Out of all the dogs I've had, Mogwai here is the one with the most personality."
"Mog what?"
"Mogwai. Named after Gremlins," I explained.
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Gremlins, it's a movie with little green... You know what, forget it." Obviously the holiday icon hadn't seen to many horror movies. "Anyway I should apologize for Mogwai taking your arm like that."
"Not at all," he insisted. "I'm used to dogs trying to get a bone or two. I even throw one of my ribs for my dog Zero."
We both laughed at that.
When we both stopped I asked, "So, what are ya doing here anyway? No offense, but skeletons aren't exactly Christmas related."
"Truth is I came upon this town by accident. I was walking through the Hinterlands when I came upon the strangest sight: six doors all in a circle with odd little pictures painted on them. Naturally I was very curious…" He explained but I had tuned out. What Jack was saying had just added to what I discovered earlier.
That's when I remembered that not only had I been watching the movie before this happened, but the very last scene I saw was when Jack was falling down the tree into Christmas Town. If that was the case then this meant this was the beginning of Jack almost taking over Christmas. That meant I wasn't actually in Tim Burton's Nightmare world, but instead I had managed to get myself trapped inside the movie itself.
"Well, I better be going," Jack said as he started to walk away.
"Where you going?" I asked as I followed after him.
"I must get back to Halloween Town. I want to tell everyone there about this new holiday. But I need to get some proof it really exists or they'll never believe me."
I ran out in front of him and stood in his path, forcing him to stop.
"So you're just taking stuff. Isn't that a bad idea?" I asked. "Someone could see you. Besides, other than the fact that a walking/talking skeleton would freak everyone out, I don't think Santa would like it if he found out you were stealing from him."
"Who's Santa?" Jack asked.
"Only one of the most famous holiday icons on the market," I explained. "Basically Santa is to Christmas Town as you are to Halloween Town. So he's kinda the Big Shot around here."
"You seem to really know about this Christmas stuff. You must be an expert."
"Well I wouldn't go that far."
"Well, you certainly know more than I do." He started looking around. "You wouldn't happen to know if there are any books that could explain all these things."
I wanted to help him but truth was I had only been here a few minutes; I had no idea where anything was. Besides, if he got caught I'd have a lot of explaining to do to Santa. And I wasn't in the mood to explain to everyone that I was from the real world and they were all part of a movie.
Suddenly I got an idea. "You know Jack, if you want, I could help explain Christmas to you so you could tell everyone in Halloween town. That way you don't have to look up every little detail and risk messing something up."
Jack pondered this information. "Hmm…"
XXX
(Jack's POV)
So far things today had not gone as I anticipated. After last night's festivities I found myself wondering through the Hinterlands. I walked all night and, as the sun entered the sky, I noticed I had wondered into someplace new. Ignoring Zero's hesitant barks I approached the strangest sight I'd ever seen: six door all in a circle. Each one fascinated me, that is, until I saw the one with (what I know now) a Christmas tree. When I opened the door I was pulled into it and found myself in a place called Christmas Town. Everything was so different from Halloween Town: the colors, the joy; everything about this town was so exciting and new.
I had to know everything about it. I started grabbing whatever I could to take back and show my friends. Of course I hadn't been expecting a small black dog to jump out of nowhere and grab my arm. He took off with it and I had to chase him down. Imagine my surprise when I run into a human girl. She seemed surprised to see me, but the oddest thing was she wasn't scared of me. I'm the Pumpkin King, Master of Terror. I should frighten anyone who lays eyes on me. Yet this girl was unafraid, and she also seemed to know me. She even introduced herself to me as Will (odd name for a girl) and she even shook my hand.
We got to talking and she offered to help me understand Christmas. Of course I couldn't pass up such an opportunity, but I needed to get back to Halloween Town. The Mayor was probably going hysterical right in my absence. I had no choice but to bring Will back with me. But first I needed to gather some more Christmas items. Will told me she would help me, but she needed to gather some things for herself. By the time I had everything I thought I needed Will appeared riding on a strange contraption I'd seen the little creatures driving around earlier. There was a trailer attached to the back of the device. In the back was a large pack and Will's dog on a leash.
Then Will and I loaded everything into a strange vehicle. Apparently it was called a "snow mobile." I was curious to how it worked so Will showed me how to operate it. With everything packed up I drove back to where I had appeared in the woods. We located the doors and Will pointed out the one we needed. Imagine my surprise to see a jack-o-lantern door. Of course it was difficult to fit everything into the tree so we divided up the cargo. Once everything was sent through, Will and I jumped through.
The trip through the Halloween door hadn't been so bad. Although instead of being pulled in by a flurry of snow we were grabbed by a cluster of autumn leaves. When everything cleared we appeared in the Hinterlands. I managed to land on my feet, while Will sat on the ground with her dog in her arms. The dog wiggled out of her arms and began sniffing around. I was about to offer to help her stand when she suddenly jumped up.
"Whoa, that was so cool!" Will exclaimed. "Just like the drop on Splash Mountain."
"What's Splash Mountain?" I asked
"It's this awesome ride at Disneyland," she explained with a large smile. "It's got this huge eighty foot drop–"
"Ruff! ruff!"
Will was interrupted by the sudden appearance of my dog, Zero. I had almost forgotten that I'd left him alone when I was pulled into Christmas Town. Apparently he'd been waiting there for me the entire time.
"Good boy Zero," I told him as he barked while circling me.
"Oh my gosh!" I turned around to see Will staring at Zero and myself. Zero became very interested in my new friend and floated over to her.
"Oh, how rude of me. Will, this is my dog Zero. Zero, I'd like you to meet Will." Zero seemed to really like Will and even let her pet him. Then he and Will's dog became interested in each other. "And this is Will's dog, Mog why."
While the dog's played Will and I reloaded the snowmobile before gathering up the pups and heading out for town. Along the way I asked Will many questions about Christmas. She explained to me that it is one of the most celebrated holidays in the human world. It's a time for families to come together and gather around a decorated tree and open gifts.
"Although Christmas is more than that," Will continued, "it's–"
Suddenly she was interrupted by the strangest sound I'd ever heard.
When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake
Spooks come out for a swingin' wake
Happy haunts materialize, and begin to vocalize,
Grim grinnin' ghosts come out to socialize
I stopped the snowmobile and began looking around. "What. Was. That?"
"Oh sorry, that's my cell," Will apologized. She began fumbling around in her bag before pulling out the strangest object I'd ever seen. It was flat and rectangular shaped; one side was a light purple with a whimsical design, while the other had white and black surface.
"Hey its Al, she's FaceTiming me," Will smiled. I had no idea what a FaceTime was but it seemed to be a good thing. I watched her slide her finger across the strange object and then she began talking to it. "What's up?"
That's when I heard another voice. Ok, first off you said you were going to call back but you never did. Secondly, you never let me finish ranting about the pink hair, and third–
"Al chill! I have my reasons," Will explained.
Reasons! Well them reasons had better be a) life threatening, b) HOT, or c) you were buying me underpants. I really hope it isn't c.
"Nope, it's d) none of the above. But you're not gonna believe me."
I believe in the Loch Ness monster, Santa fricking Claus, true love, and that Snape did not actually die! Try me… I dare you.
"Okay… you asked for it. Actually it's a good thing you called me on Facetime. Look behind me." Will started to pull the object further from her. I still had no idea what was going on. All I knew was that Will was talking to a strange object that apparently was alive, but the manner of the conversation was just confusing. Underpants and Santa "fricking" Claws. And what for Halloween's sakes is a Snape?
The voice started to speak again. OK… behind I see… woods… lots of wood… are those… those presents?
"They're not for you…" Will told the strange box. At that moment I wasn't the only one interested in the strange device. Zero had floated up behind Will's shoulder to examine what was in her hand.
Gr. Hmm more woods and… OMFG ITS FRICKING ZERO!
"What did I tell you about… Oh never mind. Yes its Zero and… Look who else." Will then turned the object in my direction. I was amazed to see that the dark spot on it now held the image of a girl about Will's age. They seemed to have similar skin tones, though Will was much paler. This girl also had long brownish-red hair and pale-green eyes. Her face seemed to be a mixture of shock and awe, not to mention disbelief. Add screaming terror and you'd have the face of every man, woman, and child I scared last night. I hesitantly reached out to touch one finger to the screen. This was such a fascinating little device. That's when Will started talking again.
"Yep, it's really him Al. Say 'hi' Jack."
"Hello…" I hesitantly said to the screen, unsure why I was speaking to a picture.
Then the picture began to move and I heard the other girl's voice. … Hi… um hi… uh na… Jack Skellington is on the phone… I need to go lie down… where are my meds…
I was taken back; somehow Will's odd little box possessed some sort of magical power. It reminded me of when the witches used a special potion to peer at the human world through their cauldron. I needed to know how it worked.
XXX
(Will's POV)
I couldn't help but laugh at Jack's expression as he pondered over my cell phone. For me it was just a standard I-phone 4, but to him it was something new. Then I remembered The Nightmare Before Christmas had been made in 1993, so clearly a 90's character would be fascinated with a device from 2012.
"Ally you don't need meds, or a nap," I laughed, "but yes, I'm with Jack and it's freaking awesome."
I… I'm sure it is… my mind is… boggling. Boggling I tell you! Um… how did you get there…
Before I could answer her, my phone was snatched from my hands. "Hey!"
Jack had my phone and started twisting it this way and that, studying it. I tried to make a grab for it but darn it, the guy was so freaking tall. Even standing on my seat wasn't enough. Just how tall was Jack anyway; six, seven feet tall? Either way I had no way to retrieve my phone.
"Jack! Give me back my phone," I yelled.
"How is it that I can see your friend here?" he asked, still not relinquishing my phone.
"It's a special apt on my phone," I told him.
"I have no idea what an apt is, but I know what a phone is, and this is not a phone."
"Well you see it's sorta… it's called a cell phone. It works like any ordinary phone, only there's no cord. As to how you can see Al right now, that's kind of like a…" I had no idea how to explain this. "… uh… a witch's glass! yeah that's it. Al and I have a witch's glass in our phones. She's at home with her own glass, and she's talking to me."
Yeah! And stop tilting and spinning the dang thing! You're making me seasick, Al shouted from her end of the conversation.
That seemed to satisfy the skeleton's curiosity. Jack handed me back my phone and I looked back at Al. "Look Al, not sure this is the best time to talk. Can I call you back later?"
You better call back! She then gestured for me to come closer so she could tell me something I guessed she didn't want Jack to hear. I'm going to plug the movie in and see if I can see you!
I hadn't thought of that. What if people who were watching right now could see an added character? "Before that, check ABC Family first. I was watching it there when I last called you."
Will do my captain! Oh and boney butt, she yelled so Jack could hear her, Take care of my girly. If she gets hurt, so help me Snape, I will Bertha you!
She hung up then and I was left with a very confused Jack.
"What did she mean by she'll 'Bertha' me?" he asked.
"Its better if you don't know," I said. "Sorry if she said anything offensive. Al can get carried away when she's excited, but I love her like a sister."
Jack looked like he was going to say something, but then thought better of it. Personally, I'm just glad he didn't ask how Al knew about Zero. I think the whole Bertha thing threw him off. Soon we were heading back out and on our way to Halloween Town.
XXX
GodlyJewel: I hope I did justice to Jack's character. He's so eccentric that I didn't want to make him sound serious, nor did I want to make him a totally Drama Queen. Oh, and for those of you who've read "Saved By Surprise", yes, Bertha is the same chainsaw Kitty uses on Johnny. Cosmic Horse chose the name for Kitty's chainsaw, and she's been using Bertha ever since.
Jack: Is my butt really that boney?
Cosmic Horse: Yes, you're a fricking skeleton ya numb skull.
GodlyJewel: Guys can we stick to the story, please?
Jack: I don't care and for your information my skull it's not numb! I can feel it just fine.
Cosmic Horse: *face palms and hangs head in defeat*
GodlyJewel: Can someone help me, please? *something crashes in the background* Hey! Play nice you two! *diabolical laughter heard from Al, also the sound of a rather large chainsaw* Oh no! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! As for you readers, get to the next chapter, QUICK!