7) Water ~ The Nightmare Before Christmas

Looking into the murky depths of the Halloween Town fountain's water in Town Square, I wondered what I could possibly find at the bottom. Because there was so much green, I couldn't see the bottom. I was just so curious. What was down there?

"Rachel!" Jack called, breaking through my thoughts. I turned as he walked up to me. "What are you doing?" I looked down at the water again, and his eye sockets obviously followed. "You find the fountain interesting, I guess." He mused.

I shook my head, "It's not really the fountain as much as what's within it that I'm curious about. It's just so unclear and cloudy down there. I want to know what's down there."

Jack chuckled, earning my attention once more. "I've been in there before, on one of the Halloween Celebrations. It just goes down to the bottom. Nothing special really…if you want, you can check for yourself." I nodded and took off my blue robe. "Just be back soon." Jack said, taking the robe. "I don't want to have to come in after you." I nodded and dove in.

Holding my breath was easy, seeing as I didn't need to breathe since I was dead, but my eyes were blurred because of the green foam. I reached the bottom quickly and looked around at the stones. One, I noticed, seemed to have been pushed in a little more than the others. When I looked closely, I noticed it had a symbol on it. It was the sign of 'Water Escape'.

I smiled. Apparently, this was one way to escape Halloween Town, should it be attacked or something. I guessed there were other 'Escapes' too. Thinking it over, I was sure that if this existed, others would. After all, not all the citizens would get out in time with just one escape route.

Pushing the stone, nothing happened. But when I touched the symbol, it closed brightly and then the stone pushed in by itself. Then a few other stones moved with it, in and to the side, making room big enough for one and a half people, preferably an adult and child, to fit in.

I nodded and began to swim in, forgetting momentarily that Jack was waiting for me above. The water continued past the opening and I swam on. The water passage led for about two to four minutes before I saw brighter light in the almost pitch black cave-like water route.

Once I reached it, I looked above. Apparently, I was now in a lake. I swam up and over, reaching the shore. As I got out and looked back, I gasped. This was a whole new part of Halloween Town. There was a lake, a few houses, and few tombstones. My suspicions were correct after all; this was an escape route in case the town got into trouble.

I surveyed the area for about two minutes before I turned to the houses and smiled. "I have to tell Jack about this!" I said to myself. I heard a forced chuckle behind me and turned around sharply. Jack smiled as he got out of the water.

"No need, Raech! I already know." He said, wringing out his coat. "I got a little worried after about a minute, so I went in after you. By that time, I saw you had opened the escape route and were going through, so I followed. Good job! I didn't think there was much down there, and I certainly didn't know this all existed. Something I wish my father or someone else had told me."

I smiled, "Maybe someone before any of the citizens or your father's time knew about it but didn't tell anyone. They obviously left a mystery for us to find. And since I'm just smarter than you are, I guess I realized it first. At least we know now, right?"

He scowled but nodded, "True about that last part. This place could come in handy quite a bit. But no, you're not smarter than me. You may look smarter, but who's the one who taught you that love is greater than hatred?"

Now it was my turn to scowl, "Oh yeah, here's some better ones. Who was it that got beaten by yours truly, got taught how to use his own weapon by yours truly, AND who messed up Christmas one year. Oh yes, I heard about that too, Sweetheart!"

Jack sighed and walked over, "You are going to make a very interesting and unique Pumpkin Queen soon, my dear. I almost guarantee it. You already have the wit and courage. You just have a little bit of an ego at times."

I smiled evilly, "If that's the case then so do you, Sweets." My smile softened, "But you're still my Prince Charming. And you know that I'll always love you, no matter how big or how weird your ego is."

He smiled, "And you are my Princess waiting for a Kiss, which I'm more than happy to give you." And with that, the kiss began. It was only when he heard a splash behind us that we turned to see the Mayor.

"Jack! What are you doing?" We only have seventy-five days left till next Halloween! Why are you here anyway? We're not under attack!"

The Mayor beckoned Jack over, "Come on, we need to get a move on."

That's when something struck me, "You mean you knew about this place? And you never told Jack about it?" The Mayor flinched as Jack and I eyed him suspiciously.

"Vaguely…" The Mayor said before jumping into the water again so as to escape the wrath that was about to be unleashed on him. Jack sighed and motioned me to follow him as he jumped into the water. I looked around one more time before smiling and jumping in after him.

What a lovely place…