A Nightmare Remembered

Chapter VIII: The Time Traveler

Jack could feel his heart rate increase significantly and a sweat began to form on his brow. He drew in quick, short breaths and began to feel himself panic. How could this man know his name? What would happen if the human world found out who he truly was? Would his world be in jeopardy? Questions spun through his head but were stopped when the old man put his hand upon Jack's shoulder.

"I can see you're panicking somewhat, just calm down my boy. If anything it should be me who should be alarmed! I mean you are…quite a miracle my boy! I can't even begin to explain-" he exclaimed. Jack felt his eyes grow wide in amazement. Suddenly he realized he was feeling a bit cold and looked down to see that he was shirtless.

"Ummm…" he started. The old man chuckled.

"Oh right, sorry about that. You were sweating pretty fiercely so we decided it would be best to remove a few layers. Here." He said handing him back his shirt. Jack grabbed it but set it down next to him. He looked back at the old man with a confused look.

"We?"

"Yes, that young man that helped bring you in here…..uh, Benjamin I think was his name." he explained. Jack nodded, still looking confused.

"Look son, I understand you have a lot of questions, but I also have a few of my own, so let's say we help each other see the light a little bit?" the old man offered. Jack took another swig of water and nodded.

"Seems logical at any rate, but would you mind answering the question I asked you earlier?" Jack asked positioning himself upright. The man got up and walked over to an old dresser that stood by the door. He grabbed something from it and went back over to Jack, handing him an old picture.

"That's me when I was about 5, many year ago…that man next to me is my grandfather…..I don't imagine the name Quintin means anything to you? " he asked. Jack leaned against the bed post, his train of thought was becoming clearer, however the name didn't ring any bells. He shook his head. The man smiled.

"Didn't think so. Well anyway that's him. He used to tell me stories and to uh answer a question I'm sure you have, that is in fact how I know you. Er, actually know about you. You see…" he paused, stopped and grinned. "Oh yes, my name….Wallace Ailey. My grandfather was butler and groundkeeper to your parents, Charles and Vera Skellington. I hope those names at least mean something to you." He said. Jack turned his head towards the ceiling and closed his eyes. Charles? Vera? He searched his memories of the last 150 years, but those names came as a blur as did the earlier part of those years. Jack shook his head. Wallace sighed.

"Okay then my turn, son. Now, of course, no need to tell me what your name is, but I do have another good question, just how are you here? I mean, you do know you….are dead, right?" Wallace asked. Jack finished off the last of the water in his glass. He sighed.

"Yes, I'm dead….and I'm here because…..um…..well perhaps you have another question?" Jack said quietly. Wallace grinned.

"So you really are here then Jack? How did you find your way here?" he asked. Suddenly Jack remembered the note in his coat pocket detailing the address of his location.

"There was a note in my pocket…with this address on it to this house…wait..." Jack paused as a thought came to him. "Why aren't you more alarmed that I'm dead and yet somehow here?" Wallace shifted in his chair.

"Well I don't wanna sound like a darn fool explaining to you how I'm not too surprised you're here….although when I first heard you might be coming-"

"First heard I was coming?" Jack asked in shock. Wallace's smile now spread from ear to ear.

"Okay, so I have some explaining to do. Alright, but then I want to hear your side of the story after I'm finished, got it?" Wallace said firmly. Jack pondered this for a moment and then nodded. "Okay…guess I should start from the beginning huh? I'll be quick."

"Alright…when I was five my grandfather told me stories about his time working for Charles Skellington, your father. My grandfather didn't come to work for your parents until after you were long gone, he was only a boy when you were killed, but he did hear of you and your parent's story from your father. Things like their wedding, which I hear was a very beautiful and moving affair. Anyway it's a bit irrelevant and perhaps a story for another time. Here, by the way." He said, handing a picture to Jack. Jack couldn't believe his eyes. It was him and Eve, looking exactly the way they did now. "That was taken the day you asked her to marry you. This picture is all that's left of you and it's how I know who you are….and who Eve is." Jack looked at Wallace in surprise.

"Eve? You mean…"

"I've seen her, many times actually. It wasn't until I heard her name that I realized exactly who she was. You see I was at the store and she was in line in front me to pay at the register. The cashier was from another country I guess, couldn't read her name on her credit card…I remember it taking forever. He asked her how she pronounced her name and that's when I heard it. Eve Hallows. I couldn't believe it and for the longest time I didn't until it just bothered too much, I had to find out. But I couldn't think of a logical way to find out, so I contacted the local psychic like a darned fool. Interestingly enough, the psychic lived right down the road from here. I met with her and she told me about Eve and about you. She actually seemed rather surprised that I was asking about this."

"Anyway, that's how I knew you were coming. She told me that a beloved son of this estate would return for the very girl I was implying about. She also said that he would need my help….that you would need my help." Wallace finished. Jack stared at his water glass, not moving. Wallace grunted. "Look to be honest, I didn't really believe her, but then I thought about it. I mean Eve was definitely real…and then I wondered how could you not be? Even though you were dead, but then so was she. I wondered if this girl was just a coincidence. I researched and researched, but couldn't prove it wasn't her or even really that is was. So I just had to wait. Wait and see if you would show up…and well, here you are. Honestly, I'm still quite unsure how to react." He said. Jack nodded.

"Me too. This is all so much to take in." Jack replied. Wallace grinned. He looked at the clock.

"Well you promised to tell me your side of the story, but it's quite late, so I think we should both get some sleep. I'm sure you're quite tired, how's your headache?"

"Headache? Is that what that was? What a horrible pain….it's better now though." Jack responded, weariness evident in his voice.

"I guess you're just not used to them. Anyway, get some sleep and tomorrow we will hear your story….you are really here, aren't you? Jack? I'm not just getting old and seeing things?" Wallace asked on his way out of the room. Jack gave him and tiny grin and nodded.

"No, I'm really here Mr. Ailey." Jack said kindly.

"Call me Wallace. Good night Jack. Don't disappear overnight now!" Wallace chuckled. Jack watched him leave, wanting desperately to know more, but his pillow was soft, his blankets warm and soon sleep overtook him.