3
SALLY stirred from her sleep, the distant rumble of thunder rousing her slowly. Raindrops drummed against the window of her chamber in the Observatory Tower, creating a soothing melody that contrasted with the fierce storm starting to brew outside. Nestled beneath the threadbare blankets and patchwork quilts of her bed, she relished the warmth cocooning her, a stark contrast to the frigid cold of her room.
Sneaking back into the Tower undetected last night had been a small victory for Sally. As she quietly ascended the stairwell and slipped into the doctor's laboratory, a wave of relief swept over her upon finding Dr. Finklestein still out cold and oblivious to her presence.
The concoction she had added to his usual dinner, Worm Wart Soup infused with the essence of Deadly Nightshade, a herb she had plucked from the graveyard a few nights before, had done its job splendidly, plunging him into a deep, dreamless sleep and keeping him unconscious for hours.
Jack Skellington, with his captivating grin and charm, had been on her mind constantly since she left him last night.
His presence lingered in her thoughts like a haunting melody, even in moments of solitude like this. She couldn't deny the exhilaration she felt near him, the way his hollow eye sockets sparkled with excitement when he spoke of his hopes and dreams.
Yet, apprehension lingered, a fear of the unknown keeping her from fully embracing her feelings for Halloween Town's Pumpkin King.
Despite the storm raging inside and out, guilt nagged at her. She had betrayed Dr. Finklestein's trust, slipping out into the unknown without his consent for the third time in a month.
As she lay there, thoughts swirling, a bolt of lightning illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows. In that stark light, Sally caught a glimpse of her stitched-together reflection in the mirror opposite her bed. Her button eyes seemed to reflect determination and doubt.
But amidst the storm, one thing remained clear: Sally knew she couldn't stay confined within the Tower forever. She yearned for freedom, to explore the world beyond her creator's laboratory.
Letting out a wistful sigh, Sally's thoughts drifted to Jack, pondering what the Pumpkin King might be up to at that moment.
Was he thinking about her, just as she couldn't shake him from her mind? The mere idea that he wanted to see her again was like a dream she couldn't quite believe. But despite the disbelief, anticipation ignited within her, fueling her desire to see him once more
Suddenly, an urgent, sharp rap at the door jolted her upright in bed, stitched heart racing.
To her surprise, Igor's broken, raspy voice echoed through the room.
"Miss, Igor here. Master says Sally is late with his breakfast. Master says Sally is taking too long and sent Igor to wake Sally up."
She sighed, pushing aside her musings on Jack, and reluctantly rose from bed to attend to her chores. Glancing at the mirror on the wall, she quickly ran a wide-toothed comb through her dark autumn-red yarn hair. Each stroke sent a thrilling tingle down her spine as she couldn't help but think of Jack. The anticipation of seeing him again added an extra skip to her heartbeat, even amidst the mundane tasks of the morning.
Opening the door, she found Igor, another of the doctor's many creations, the hunchbacked lab assistant, waiting impatiently for her.
His mismatched, bulging eyes shifted nervously as he muttered, "Finally, Miss. Master's breakfast can't wait forever. Master is already angry."
Sally gave Igor a sympathetic look, understanding all too well the consequences of incurring the doctor's wrath. "Oh, I-I'm sorry, Igor. I'll hurry. Tell Dr. Finklestein I'll be there shortly."
Igor nodded, his hunched form bobbing up and down. "Yes, Miss Sally, Igor tells Master," he replied, before scurrying up the dimly lit stairwell towards the laboratory.
She offered a quick nod, suppressing a sigh, and disappeared down the dimly lit stairwell towards the kitchenette tucked away in a sequestered corner of the Tower, her mind still lingering on the memory of Jack's voice and the Pumpkin King's expressed desire to see her again.
Sally couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment as she set to work. While she was grateful to Dr. Finklestein for giving her life, she often felt more like his caretaker and servant than a daughter to him. She pushed aside her feelings as she gathered the ingredients for the doctor's breakfast, focusing instead on the task at hand.
Sally cracked open a jar of pickled frog brains and began to whisk them into a bowl, her movements precise and mechanical. She then turned her attention to the spider toast, carefully spreading a thick layer of web jelly on a slice of stale bread before topping it with a handful of roasted spiders. The eerie blend of ingredients never failed to unsettle her, yet it was just another day in the bizarre routine of the doctor's household.
As she worked, Igor, having returned from telling their creator that his breakfast would be ready shortly, hovered nearby, his presence a constant reminder of the peculiar world she inhabited.
Despite the unsettling surroundings, thoughts of Jack continued to dance at the edges of her mind, a welcome distraction from the grim reality of her existence. Sally's thoughts drifted back to her encounter last night with Jack, the Pumpkin King who had stirred something within her that she couldn't quite define.
It wasn't just his charismatic presence or his enigmatic smile that had captivated her—it was the sense of possibility he represented, the promise of a life beyond the confines of the Observatory Tower.
Lost in her thoughts, Sally almost didn't notice when Igor awkwardly cleared his throat, breaking the spell.
"Miss Sally, breakfast is ready," he announced, his voice still grating and uneven.
Sally blinked, snapping back to reality. She glanced down at the grotesque meal she had prepared, a mixture of revulsion and resignation settling in her stomach. With a sigh, she carefully plated the scrambled brains and spider toast, arranging them on a tarnished silver tray.
"Thank you, Igor," she murmured, her voice hoarse as she picked up the tray.
Igor nodded, his bulging eyes darting nervously around the room. "Master is waiting," he reminded her before scurrying off, his hunched figure disappearing into the shadows.
Taking a deep breath, Sally followed him out of the kitchenette and into the dimly lit dining room where Dr. Finklestein sat hunched over his usual spot at the head of the table.
In the dimly lit laboratory, Dr. Finklestein sat with his back paraded to Sally as she and Igor entered the room, confined to his black, electric wheelchair, its metal frame creaking with each movement.
His frail form seemed almost swallowed by the oversized white lab coat he wore, accentuating his disproportionately large head atop thin, spindly limbs. His hands and feet, remarkably small, rested awkwardly against the wheelchair's cold metal. The ancient chair lacked any comfort, its worn cushions long gone, replaced by two levers protruding from the armrests.
Dr. Finklestein's skin, pallid and unhealthy, barely contrasted with the white of his coat, while his small, beady black eyes peered out from beneath goggles, framed by thin, black eyebrows. His mouth, beak-like and missing a few teeth, twisted into a curious expression as he scratched his exposed pink brain, nestled within his skull adorned with bolts and a distinct seam. Her creator, eyes narrowed in suspicion, glanced up as Sally entered, his expression a mixture of impatience and annoyance.
"About time, Sally, the devil knows you've kept me waiting long enough," he grumbled, his voice raspy and labored. "I trust you haven't forgotten how to follow a simple instruction."
Sally bit back a retort, forcing herself to remain composed as she set the tray down in front of him. "Of course not, Doctor," she replied evenly, her voice tinged with forced cheerfulness. "Breakfast is served."
Dr. Finklestein grunted in response, barely sparing her a glance as he dug into his meal with gusto, oblivious to Sally's inner turmoil. As she watched him devour the grotesque concoction with relish, a wave of resentment washed over her.
It wasn't fair, she thought bitterly, that she should be trapped in this endless cycle of servitude while the world outside beckoned with untold adventures. But as much as she longed for freedom, she knew that escaping the doctor's clutches would be no easy feat.
For now, she would bide her time, waiting for the opportune moment to make her move. And perhaps, just perhaps, she would find a way to break free from the chains that bound her and carve out a destiny of her own making. Until then, she would continue to serve, yet she would always yearn for a life beyond the Observatory Tower's walls. And as she stole a fleeting glance out the window, where the storm still raged on, she couldn't help but wonder what awaited her beyond the horizon.
Sally was jolted back to reality by Dr. Finklestine's sharp tone, which sliced through the air like a scalpel.
"Are you feeling alright this morning, Sally?" he inquired, his voice tinged with suspicion. "I was starting to think you'd never wake up. You sleep like the dead, my dear."
Sally forced a tight-lipped smile, her button eyes nervously meeting his gaze briefly before darting away. "I…I apologize, Doctor," she replied, her tone polite but distant. "I…must have lost track of time."
Dr. Finklestein grunted again, his attention already returning to his meal.
"See that it doesn't happen again," he muttered between greedy mouthfuls of spider toast.
Sally nodded obediently, her mind already drifting to her longing yet again to flee the desolate confines of the Observatory Tower. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not when every moment brought her closer to the opportunity she longed for.
Sally's mind often drifted back to Jack, the enigmatic Pumpkin King who had ignited a spark within her.
She couldn't shake the memory of their conversation last night as they had walked and talked together, the way he had looked at her with those piercing hollow eye sockets as if he could see straight through her stitched-together exterior to the heart that beat within.
But amidst the excitement and anticipation, doubts lingered like shadows in her mind.
What if it was all just a fantasy, a fleeting moment of connection in an otherwise bleak existence? What if Jack's interest in her was nothing more than a passing fancy, soon forgotten amidst the chaos of his kingdom?
Despite these uncertainties, Sally couldn't deny the longing in her heart for something more.
The thought of breaking free from the confines of her servitude to Dr. Finklestein and exploring the world beyond the Tower's walls, perhaps with Jack by her side, filled her with a mixture of hope and trepidation. She knew she had a duty to fulfill in the doctor's twisted household, but deep down, she yearned for a life of her own making, where she could follow her heart and discover her true purpose.
Until then, she would continue to bide her time, waiting for the opportunity to carve out her own destiny.
Sally moved to collect Dr. Finklestein's empty breakfast dishes as he finished, preparing to slip away back down the stairwell. But just as she turned, ready to vanish into the shadows, the doctor's grip tightened around her wrist, halting her in her tracks.
His sharp gaze bore into hers, demanding attention. Sally remained rooted to her spot, temporarily paralyzed by fear and uncertainty as she felt the weight of the doctor's gaze upon her. She stuttered nervously, her words catching in her throat as she struggled to maintain composure in front of her creator.
"I-I don't—wh-what—i-is there something you need, Doctor?" she managed to ask, her voice trembling slightly.
Every fiber of her being urged her to break free from his grasp and flee, but she forced herself to remain still, awaiting his response with trepidation. Anger flickered in Dr. Finklestein's beady black eyes, causing them to narrow for a fleeting moment.
Sally braced herself for the worst, but to her surprise, the doctor's expression softened, and he addressed her calmly.
"Don't be so hasty in leaving, Sally," Dr. Finklestein said gently, his voice unexpectedly soothing yet unsettling. "There is something I wish to discuss with you."
Sally warily regarded the doctor. His sudden change in demeanor left her unsettled, unsure of what to expect next. Despite her apprehension, she nodded slowly, silently agreeing to hear him out.
"Sally, my dear," he continued, his voice steady and composed. "After much thought and consideration on my part, I believe the time has finally come for me to create a companion for you."
Sally's heart skipped a beat. As the doctor's words sank in, Sally froze in shock, her heart pounding with terror. Confusion clouded her mind as she struggled to understand her creator's intentions.
A companion? Why would he suggest such a thing? Wasn't she enough for him as she was? The thought of another creation like herself filled her with dread, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions she couldn't comprehend.
She parted her lips as if to speak, however, it took her a moment to find her voice, her stitched lips parting slightly and betraying her hurt and confusion.
"I…I don't understand, Doctor," Sally stammered, her mind whirling with confusion. "A companion?"
The doctor grunted and looked up at her, annoyance creasing his brow. "Yes, Sally. A companion. Someone who can keep you company here in the Tower and keep you out of trouble."
Sally's heart skipped a beat at the mention of being paired with a partner. She knew Dr. Finklestein meant well, but the thought of being trapped here with a new creation of his filled her with dread.
She couldn't imagine spending her days cooped up in the Observatory Tower with someone she didn't love or even care for.
"B-but Doctor," she stammered, "I-I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
Dr. Finklestein waved away her protests with a dismissive gesture. "Nonsense, my dear, it would be of no trouble to me, and it's only natural for you to want companionship. Besides, it's for your own good. I won't have you gallivanting off into the night again and continuously risking your safety." Dr. Finklestein's voice grew stern, his beady eyes piercing through Sally's delicate frame. "You think I don't know what you were up to last night, Sally? Slipping Deadly Nightshade into my soup and then sneaking out under the cover of darkness, putting yourself at risk?"
Sally's eyes widened in shock and guilt. She had thought she was careful, but clearly, Dr. Finklestein had been one step ahead of her all along.
"Last night was the final straw, Sally," he continued, his voice rising in anger. "The third time in a month!"
Sally's throat tightened as she struggled to find the right words. "I-I'm sorry, Doctor, I-I didn't mean to worry you."
Dr. Finklestein shook his head, his frustration palpable. Memories of past incidents flooded his mind, each one a testament to Sally's reckless behavior and his growing exasperation.
"Sorry is no longer good enough, Sally. I have been far too lenient with you, I realize that now. You need someone to keep you in line, to keep you safe."
Sally bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She knew arguing with the doctor would be futile, but the idea of being forced into a relationship she didn't want was nearly too much to bear.
Dr. Finklestein pushed aside his empty plate, his gaze fixed on Sally with a determined glint in his eyes, and Sally knew then that the doctor's mind was already made up, and that there would be no convincing him otherwise.
"Yes, yes, it's settled then," he declared, as if the matter was already decided. "I'll create a companion for you, much like I gave you life, my dear Sally. Someone who will understand you, keep you company, and most importantly, keep you safe."
Sally's heart sank like a stone. She knew she couldn't refuse the doctor's wishes, but she knew that no creation of Dr. Finklestein's would hold any appeal to her whatsoever. None of them had the spark of life, the warmth, the…humanity that she had found last night in Jack Skellington. Sally's stitched fingers fidgeted nervously as she summoned up the courage to speak up. "B-but Doctor, I don't think…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Dr. Finklestein's face twisted with frustration, his voice sharp and cutting.
"Enough, Sally!" he barked, his tone brooking no argument. "I will not entertain any of your foolish objections. This matter is not up for debate."
Sally recoiled at the sudden venom in his words, her heart sinking with disappointment. She had hoped to voice her concerns, to make him understand her apprehension, but it seemed her efforts were in vain.
"But Doctor," she persisted, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I-I'm not sure…"
Dr. Finklestein's eyes flashed with anger, his patience wearing thin. "You will do as I say, Sally," he snapped, his voice laced with disdain. "I am your creator and know what is best for you. Is that clear?"
Sally's throat tightened with fear, her resolve faltering in the face of the doctor's wrath. She knew better than to defy him.
"Y-yes, Doctor," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart. "I…I understand."
With a heavy heart, Sally lowered her gaze, a sense of resignation settling over her like a suffocating blanket. She knew she had no choice but to obey, suppress her desires, and submit to the will of her creator.
Turning away from the doctor to leave, a single tear escaped her glassy eyes, trailing down her stitched cheek in silent protest. But in Dr. Finklestein's unyielding gaze, it went unnoticed, lost amidst the darkness of the Observatory Tower.
As Sally made her way through the dimly lit corridors of the Observatory Tower towards the sanctuary of her bedroom, a sense of desperation and helplessness gnawed at her insides. The weight of Dr. Finklestein's expectations hung heavy upon her shoulders, suffocating her with every step she took. She knew she couldn't stay here, trapped in a life not of her choosing.
With each passing second, the walls of the Tower felt more like a prison closing in around her, suffocating her with their suffocating embrace. Sally's mind raced as she considered her options, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic whirlwind of fear and uncertainty.
Back in her room, she collapsed onto her bed, the tears she had held back now flowing freely. Alone in the dimly lit chamber, Sally grappled with the conflicting desires that tugged at her ragdoll heart.
The urge to defy her creator and seize control of her destiny battled against the fear of the unknown, what future would await her if she were to run away and not dare to return to this place, leaving her feeling lost and adrift.
Outside her window, the dreary world of Halloween Town beckoned, even in the storm the town now faced, its twisted streets and eerie inhabitants a tantalizing promise of freedom and adventure. As Sally's gaze swept through the winding cobblestone streets of Halloween Town, her eyes were drawn to the familiar yet foreign silhouette of Jack's house perched high on a hill at the furthest edge of town.
Despite the distance, she could make out the faint glow of candlelight flickering in the windows, a beacon of warmth in the cold darkness of the morning. Jack, the Pumpkin King's unexpected companionship and kindness last night, had stirred something deep within her. But even as she indulged in these nearly happy fantasies, a pang of guilt ripped through her. She shouldn't yearn for a life beyond the Tower when she was bound to Dr. Finklestein by the very stitches that held her together.
With a heavy sigh, Sally tore her gaze away from Jack's house and forced herself to focus on the present. She knew she couldn't defy her creator without risking all she had. Yet, as she stood at the windowsill, a small spark of hope flickered to life within her.
Perhaps, just perhaps, there was still a way for her to find happiness, to break free from the invisible chains that bound her, without abandoning everything she had ever known. As her nervous eyes scanned the streets below her bedroom window, her longing to see Jack again and talk with him grew stronger, gnawing at her stitched insides.
She couldn't shake the image of the quiet and gentle Pumpkin King from her mind, the memory of Jack's gentle words and haunting presence lingering like a ghostly whisper. The thought of remaining trapped in the Tower while Dr. Finklestein created a companion for her against her wishes filled her with dread.
With each passing moment, the desire to speak with the skeleton again became overwhelming. Determined to escape, Sally glanced around the sparse room, her eyes falling on the thin, threadbare blankets and quilts covering her bed.
An idea began to form in her mind, a desperate plan born of longing.
Without hesitation, Sally began to tear the blankets into strips, her hands trembling with anticipation. She worked quickly, knotting the strips together to create a makeshift rope, her heart pounding in her chest with each tug and twist. As the rope took shape beneath her fingers, Sally's resolve hardened. She knew the risks of defying Dr. Finklestein, of leaving the safety of the Tower behind.
But the thought of spending her days trapped here in the Tower with another creation of Dr. Finklestein's was a fate she couldn't bear to accept. With the rope completed, Sally tied one end to the sturdy bedpost and tossed the other out of the window, her pulse racing with excitement and fear. She knew she had to act quickly before Dr. Finklestein discovered her plan before it was too late to escape.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Sally climbed onto the windowsill and grasped the makeshift rope, her heart pounding in her chest as she prepared to lower herself down into the darkness below.
As Sally descended, her thoughts turned to Jack and the uncertain future ahead. All that mattered now was reaching him and seizing the freedom she craved. With each inch of descent, her heart raced, determination tightening her grip on the makeshift rope. Rain seeped into her stitched skin as she lowered herself down, drenching her as she reached the cobblestones. The streets of Halloween Town were deserted in this weather, adding to her urgency.
Glancing up at Dr. Finklestein's Observatory Tower, she shivered at the thought of being caught. But she pressed on toward Jack's house, her heart pounding with determination. Approaching Jack's house, her mind raced with what to say. Would he welcome her or be annoyed by her sudden appearance? The uncertainty gnawed at her as she hesitated before knocking softly, the sound lost in the howling wind. Urgently, she rang the doorbell, but only silence greeted her. Rain fell heavier now, dampening Sally's dress as panic threatened to overtake her.
What if Jack didn't come to the door? Desperation clawed at her as she sank onto the porch, hoping he would be there for her. Despite her efforts to stay awake, her eyelids grew heavy with stress as she huddled against the door, rain tapping a melancholic rhythm around her.
Finally, physically and emotionally exhausted, Sally drifted into a fitful sleep, haunted by echoes of unanswered knocks and the chilling realization that she might be truly alone in the world.