TAoP Chapter 32

The Pumpkin King

They all walked in silence as Penny followed the indigo string. She had created little balls of fire to follow them, creating a little bit of light. The girl was actually a little bit jumpy.

Are you scared? Midnight asked sensing her anxiety.

Me? Scared? Please, I've seen worser things, Penny crowed.

"How far is the town? This forest is endless," Illiana said. She ended up wearing high heeled boots with her costume. They were starting to really bother her feet.

"It's not that bad. You know, thus world is actually pretty interesting," Jayden said as he hovered along the path.

"If you weren't a ghost right now, I would hit you."

"Ah! I think we're here," Penny exclaimed as she stopped suddenly. It was hard to talk with fangs in her mouth instead of teeth. Max and Illiana ran into her while Jayden drifted past them.

In front of them was a rusted, bent iron gate that was as tall as a tree. Pointed spikes adjoined the top making it impossible to climb over. Inside the gate was a town square. The middle held a fountain that glowed lime green water and a disfigured ghoul for a fountain head.

More people walked around the square, glancing up at a countdown that was on top of the town hall. It showed 45 more days until Halloween. There were excited murmurs among the people as they saw how many days were left. None of them noticed the group of new comers outside the gate.

"You think they might let us in?" Illiana asked as she watched them over Penny's shoulder.

"Well, I can get in," Jayden boasted as he went through the gate. "See?"

"I swear I will hit you—"

"Oh! So are you new here?" A high pitched voice said next to them. It was a girl who looked like she had been sewn together. Her red hair looked like yarn and her dress was merely patches stitched together.

"Hello. I'm Penny and these are my friends. We were looking around when we stumbled upon your town," Penny said politely as everyone took to staring at the girl. Guys, stop staring. It's rude.

"Well, I'm Sally and this is Halloweentown. We are getting ready for the big night. It is so close that everyone is getting ready so soon. Now if you would excuse me, I have to return this to Jack." She lifted a basket to show them a sewing kit and a costume inside.

"Hold on a sec, I need you to do something for me…"

As Sally left them, Penny tied an indigo bead as the others talked over what happened.

"That was easy," Max said.

"Well, I think we should look around. Something doesn't feel right to me," Jayden said, looking around in the gloom.

"I agree. We're here and this place hasn't been visited in awhile," Illiana added.

"Okay, let's go."

The group set off away from the town and entered a graveyard. They crowded closer together as fog drifted slowly around them. An owl hooted from a tree close to them. Illiana yelped and ran into Penny.

"Ow! Illiana, you stepped on my tail!" Penny exclaimed as she smoothed it.

"Sorry, this place gives me the creeps! Can we go soon?"

"Just a little bit further…"

"Hehehe! People are here! What fun!" a little squeaky voice echoed around them.

"Yes! Shall we play a game? What shall we play with them?" another equally annoying voice called.

"Too bad Oogie Boogie isn't here. Leavin' us for her," a third voice said.

"Stupids! We work with Jack now! Oogie Boogie can stay with Maleficent for all I care!"

"Wait! That name! I know it from somewhere. Where have you heard that name?" Jayden demanded.

All three voices laughed, "Like we would tell you!"

"Grr…huh? What Penny?" he looked at her as she shook her head. She had a slight smile and gazed away from the group. Soon they heard squeals of terror and a struggle. Midnight came out of the bushes carrying three small figures. One was a girl in a witch's costume; a boy in a devil one; and another boy in a scary mask. They were clearly younger than Penny with the height they were.

Nice hunting Midnight, Penny praised as Midnight came over to her.

It's what I do. Besides they were annoying me, he said as he dumped them at her feet.

"Now tell us about Maleficent if you really know anything," Max said glaring down at them.

"We don't know nothing," the girl said, folding her arms.

"Why should we? It's just as Shock said," the devil said.

"Yea, she's not the leader of us unlike Oogie Boogie. Right, Lock?" the slight larger one asked looking at the other two.

"Barrel!" both kids yelled at him. He hid his face, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was supposed to be a secret."

"Leader? Could it be the one who is threatening the Queen of Hearts?" Illiana whispered to the others.

"Possibly. I swear I have heard that name before. This is going to bug me until we get back," Jayden mused while he drifted back and forth.

"Do you know anything else?" Penny asked the kids.

"Nuh huh! Like we would tell!" Shock said.

"What's going on here?" a voice called out. Behind them was a very tall, well dressed skeleton.

"Jack!" the kids yelled and ran behind him.

"These people are bullying us!" Lock said.

"Yea! They threatened us!" Barrel caught on.

"They're horrible!" Shock bawled.

"Oh really? They don't seem to be doing anything to me," Jack looked at the group with curiosity.

Sally came up next to Jack, "Jack, these are the new people I was talking about."

"Really? Then allow me to introduce myself! I'm Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King. And you already met the troublemakers, Lock, Shock, and Barrel.

"Nice to meet'cha. I'm Penny and these are my friends."

"Great to meet all of you! Care for a tour around the town? I'd be happy to give you one."

"That sounds awesome! Where do we—"

"Sorry, Jack, but we are going to have to take a rain check on that. We have to get going," Jayden interrupted Penny.

"Yea, we are wanted back home, but we will be back," Illiana grabbed Penny, but something else grabbed her by the ankle. It pulled her away from the others.

"Penny!" Max yelled. Penny used her claws to slow her down, but it just continued to drag her with intense speed.

Soon, she lost sight of the group, except Midnight who was following her as fast as he could.

Hold on! I'm coming!

What is it? What grabbed me?

I'm not sure. I can't see anything.

She looked around as she was being dragged and saw they were in the forest. Penny tried to grab a tree branch, but it was too weak and it broke in her hand.

Midnight started to slow down slightly.

Don't leave me!

I'll find you! I promise!

"MIDNIGHT!" Penny yelled as she lost sight of him. Soon she was moving faster and a bump in the road caused her to black out.