Chapter 5: Forced Goodbye
For nearly two months the two got away with the nightly songs and stories. Catherine was even comfortable with not seeing Jack in person. But good things never seem to last. Townsfolk were beginning to question credibility. Catherine's "boss" (which she only called boss because he was the closest thing to a boss she had ever had) wondered about her peculiar new sleeping habits. And the folks of Halloweentown wondered why Jack would visit Christmastown so often. Both felt a bit of stress. Fortunately, both managed to avoid telling the truth.
But a certain familiar foe was lurking in the shadows. He put dreams into the heads of both the Mayor and Dr. Finklestein. Dreams that would sever Jack's bond to the mortal realm.
Catherine was slightly less cheerful, and had been all week. It was Valentine's Day, and she had no Valentine, once again. She never really had one, and always seemed depressed around this time of year. Jack had noticed, but didn't know why she was down. He consulted Sandy, with whom he had since made amends with, and he told him of Valentine's Day. Jack wanted to visit the holiday, but Santa thought it wise not to meddle with anymore holidays. Santa did share enough, however, for Jack to get an idea.
Catherine returned home, sighing heavily. As she took off her shoes, she saw something on the table. She went over to look, and saw a heart. It had been cleverly cut from several packages of various shades of red and pink. She soon discovered that it was a box, and inside it was an assortment of candy. It seemed to be leftover Halloween candy. She smiled and let out a giggle, lifting up the note left beside it. She read it three times to herself before setting it back down.
"To cheer up a gloomy friend on a happy holiday. -Jack"
"Jack, welcome home." Finklestein had a smirk on his face as the population of the town gathered around. "We're having a town meeting tonight... You simply must come. We'll be talking about you..." Before Jack had any time to take in what had just happened, he was standing on the stage with the Mayor.
"Jack, I hate to do this but you've left me no choice. On behalf of Halloweentown, I charge you with direct disobedience of the law, and lying to the town. Punishment is as follows," the Mayor was reading from a long document, "You are to sever all ties to the human world, and will be monitored at all times until you regain our trust." The audience yelled, screeched, and applauded in approval.
Jack never got the chance to speak. Only after everyone had left did he manage to squeeze in, "What do you mean by all this?"
The Mayor responded, "Just like I said, sever all ties."
"I can't just-"
"Mayor, I have a better idea, to ensure success." The scientist whispered into the official's ear and both nodded in approval.
"Jack, you have to scare this girl so she'll never want to see you again. We'll make sure you do with the cauldron. So you can't cheat. You'll leave at dusk. This is final."
"No... Catherine."
She had been in bed, but not asleep (for these are two completely different concepts) for about an hour when she heard the sound of footsteps in the hall. She began to breathe fast, not knowing whether to call out or remain silent. Finally, a dark, slender figure entered her door, staying just out of the moonlight from the open window.
"J-jack? Is that you?"
"Yes. I've come for you."
His voice was deeper and more commanding than usual. Something was wrong.
"Are you alright? Let me turn on the light." She reached over, glancing away. When the soft yellow glow flooded the room, she screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Do I scare you? Are you scared? GOOD!" The skeleton she had only occasional thoughts of suddenly returned, more terrifying than ever. "I am here for you!" He grinned widely as he slowly encroached upon his victim, stretching his fingers closer toward her neck. "I am Jack Skellington... The Pumpkin King."
"S-stop it! Go away!" She turned her head and closed her eyes, trying to escape the terrible fate that would soon befall her. And then... Silence. Her arms, raised in terror, lowered as she opened one eye. Nothing. All was as it was before. All but for one small mess of red and pink, sprinkled around the floor, and a crumpled up note. She reached over, grasping another note. It was the note she had intended to give Jack. She tore it apart and angrily threw it in the trash. She grabbed her knees and sobbed until morning.
Although she tried to stay angry, as she threw away the scattered mess, she threw the letter in the trash five times before finally uncrumpling it and pinning it to her mirror.
Townsfolk cheered as he returned. He seemed sad at first, but burst forth a new rage when he reached his front gate. The following day, he told the town what he felt about this year's Halloween. He was determined to make this one the most frightening in all of the history of the Holidays.