LENORE stood frozen, watching Gabriel vanish into the shadows. The kiss he left on her cheek still tingled, but fear gripped her heart. She wanted to chase after him, to help, but the Mayor's groan of pain pulled her back to reality. She knelt beside the Mayor, pushing her worries to the back of her mind, at least for the moment. Blood trickled from the gash on his head. Lenore's hands shook as she fumbled for a handkerchief in her coat pocket and pressed the cloth against the wound.
"You're going to be okay, sir," she whispered, trying to sound confident. "We need to get you to my aunts' shop. They'll know what to do."
The Mayor blinked, his eyes unfocused as his two faces swiveled back and forth in confusion. "Jack…find Jack," he muttered.
"Gabriel's gone to find him," Lenore said softly, hoping to reassure him, though her voice wavered. Could Gabriel find Jack alone in the Hinterlands? Could anyone? Lenore's stomach twisted with anxiety, but she forced herself to focus on the task at hand. There was no time to worry.
Lenore tightened her grip on the Mayor's arm, her heart pounding in her chest. His usual composure was completely shattered, both faces displaying a mix of fear and confusion that she had never seen before. The Mayor's usual bluster was gone, replaced by a vulnerability that made him seem smaller, almost childlike.
"Jack… Jack needs me," the Mayor mumbled, his voice trembling as his two faces flickered between worry and despair. "I should be out there… helping… leading… but I can't… I don't know what to do without him."
Lenore swallowed hard, trying to keep her fear at bay. "You're going to be okay, sir," she repeated, trying to inject some strength into her voice. "We'll get you to my aunts. They'll know how to help. Just hold on a little longer."
The Mayor's hands clutched at her sleeve, his grip surprisingly strong despite his disoriented state. "The town… it's falling apart without Jack. Everyone's looking to me to lead, but I can't… I can't make decisions by myself… they're expecting me to have answers, but I don't even know where to begin. What if we never find him? What if he's… gone?"
The raw fear in his voice sent a chill down Lenore's spine. She had always seen the Mayor as a figure of authority, a man who, despite his quirks, could be relied upon in times of crisis. Seeing him like this, unraveling before her eyes, made the situation all the more terrifying.
"We're not going to lose him," Lenore insisted, though doubt gnawed at the edges of her confidence. "Gabriel is strong. He knows the Hinterlands better than anyone. If anyone can find Jack, it's him."
She struggled to lift the Mayor to his feet. He was heavier than she expected, his legs shaky beneath him. But with determination, she managed to support his weight as best she could.
Slowly, they began moving away from Jack's home's gates and toward the Witch's Shop. The streets were more fully waking up now, and a few curious eyes followed them.
She could feel the eyes of the townsfolk on her as she passed, their curious gazes following her every move. Lenore's mind raced as she made her way towards the shop. What would they say when they saw the Mayor? Would they help, or would they assume she had something to do with the gash on his forehead? The thought of facing them made her heart pound even harder.
She knew her aunts would already be furious with her for being late this morning, and now they would have the Mayor to tend to, but she knew she had no choice.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Lenore saw a familiar figure hurrying towards her. At first, she thought she was imagining it —after all, it wasn't even fully lit out yet, and the figure moved so quickly and quietly that it almost seemed like a shadow. But as the figure approached, Lenore's breath caught in her throat.
It was Sally.
Lenore's heart skipped a beat. What was she doing here? Had she snuck out of the Tower again? The thought made Lenore's worry deepen. As Lenore glanced at Sally, relief flooded her when she saw her new friend's arm had been reattached. She wondered if Dr. Finklestein had done it. Even though she had only known Sally for a few hours, Lenore could already sense how fragile Sally's freedom was. Every time Sally snuck out of the Tower without permission, she took a big risk. The thought of Sally getting in trouble with Dr. Finklestein because of her filled Lenore with guilt.
"Lenore, what happened?" Sally's shy voice broke through Lenore's thoughts, filled with concern as she reached them. Her eyes widened when she saw the Mayor's bloodied forehead and the strain on Lenore's face.
"Sally, what—what are you doing here?" Lenore stammered, her voice both surprised and worried. "Did you…sneak out?"
Sally hesitated, her gaze flickering back toward the distant silhouette of the Tower. "I had to," she admitted quietly. "I needed to see if everything was okay. Something felt wrong. Then I saw you and the Mayor…"
Lenore's chest tightened. Sally had risked so much just to check on her. She couldn't let her down now. "The Mayor fell," Lenore explained quickly, trying to push aside her concerns about Sally. "He hit his head. I'm taking him to my aunts."
Sally's worry deepened, but she didn't waste time asking more questions. Instead, she moved to the Mayor's other side, helping Lenore support her. Together, they guided him through the streets, their pace quickening as they approached the Witch's Shop.
When they reached the door, Lenore hesitated, her hand trembling as she reached for the doorknob. She knew her aunts wouldn't be pleased, but there was no time to worry about her aunts' wrath now.
Taking a deep breath, Lenore pushed open the door and stepped inside, the familiar scream of the bell above the door immediately signaling their arrival.
"Auntie Zeldabond, Auntie Helgamine!" Lenore called out, her voice shaking despite her efforts to stay calm.
Her aunts emerged from the back room, their expressions sharp and curious. Aunt Helgamine's eyes narrowed when she saw the Mayor, while Aunt Zeldabond's gaze lingered on Sally, clearly noting the ragdoll's presence with a hint of suspicion.
Lenore felt her stomach tighten as her aunts scrutinized the scene. Aunt Helgamine's expression grew more severe as she hurriedly approached the Mayor, her eyes sweeping over the blood-stained handkerchief pressed to his head. Aunt Zeldabond remained by the doorway, her gaze flickering between Lenore and Sally, her expression unreadable.
"What happened here?" Aunt Helgamine demanded, her voice clipped, betraying a trace of concern despite her stern demeanor.
"The Mayor fell and hit his head," Lenore answered quickly, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I couldn't leave him there. Gabriel's gone to find Jack."
Aunt Zeldabond's eyes narrowed at Lenore's words, and she stepped forward, her voice sharp as a knife. "And where have you been, Lenore? You're late, again, the third time in a month, and now you come barging in here with the Mayor bleeding all over our shop? This is unacceptable!"
Lenore's heart sank under the weight of their scolding. She had been prepared for some reprimand, but their anger still hit her like a physical blow. She opened her mouth to explain, but the words tangled on her tongue.
"I... I was with Gabriel," Lenore stammered, her voice trembling as she glanced nervously between her aunts. "He... he asked me to have breakfast with him last night after spending Halloween with me, Aunties. He... he was walking me back to the shop this morning."
She hesitated, her hands fidgeting as she continued, "We... we passed by Jack's house, and... and the Mayor was pounding on the door, but Jack wasn't home. He... he hasn't been home all night."
Lenore swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Gabriel and I saw him go into the Hinterlands last night. Jack's missing, and... and Gabriel's gone to find him."
"Missing?" Aunt Helgamine repeated, her frown deepening. This time, her tone held more concern than anger. "Jack hasn't been home all night? Oh dear..." She exchanged a worried glance with Aunt Zeldabond.
Aunt Zeldabond's stern expression softened slightly, though her voice remained sharp. "Jack Skellington is missing, and you didn't come to tell us immediately? Jack is vital to this town, to all of us. What if something terrible has happened? How could you be so irresponsible, Lenore?"
Lenore flinched, feeling the sting of their concern for Jack—a concern she had never heard directed toward her. She tried to explain, but her voice faltered. "I-I didn't know what else to do. The Mayor needed help, and Gabriel—"
"Gabriel?" Aunt Helgamine interrupted with a dismissive wave. "Gregor Graveshaw's son took an interest in you? A handsome ghoul like him? How could you be so foolish as to think—" She cut herself off, frustration mingling with disbelief. "Ghouls are perfectly capable of handling themselves, especially in the Hinterlands. But Jack…Jack is irreplaceable. He's the Pumpkin King, the very heart of this town! How could you let him go missing without telling us?"
Aunt Zeldabond nodded, her eyes wide with what looked almost like fear. "What if something dreadful has happened to him? Oh, our poor, dear Jack! We must find him at once."
Lenore's heart pounded in her chest, and she took a small step back, her hands trembling. "I-I didn't know what else to do," she stammered. "I couldn't just leave the Mayor there, and Gabriel—"
"Enough!" Aunt Helgamine snapped, her voice rising with frustration. "You're too concerned with that ghoul and not nearly concerned enough with your responsibilities here! We took you in, raised you, and this is how you repay us? By bringing chaos into our shop and tarnishing our reputation?"
Lenore flinched, her eyes darting toward the floor. She had always feared this side of her aunts, the one that saw her as nothing more than a burden, a problem to be managed. The weight of their disappointment pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.
Aunt Zeldabond stepped closer, her voice cold as she added, "You've always been a liability, Lenore. Always needing to be watched, corrected, controlled. And now, with Jack missing, of all times, you've gone and made things worse. If anything happens to him because you didn't tell us sooner, there will be consequences."
Lenore's eyes widened, tears welling up as she tried to defend herself. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen! I just wanted to help—"
"Help?" Aunt Helgamine hissed, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "You think this is helping? If anything happens to Jack, if anything more goes wrong because of your negligence, there will be no place for you here. Do you understand?"
Lenore could only nod, her throat tightening with fear. She wanted to explain, to make them understand, but the words wouldn't come. All she could do was stand there, trembling under the weight of their anger.
Aunt Helgamine's gaze softened ever so slightly, but her tone remained harsh. "You will stay here, out of the way, while we deal with this mess. And if you cause any more trouble, Lenore, you will regret it."
Their worry for Jack was palpable, and Lenore couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and hurt. They were fawning over Jack's safety, their voices filled with a warmth and affection she had never felt directed at her.
Her mind drifted back to all the times they had scolded her for the smallest mistakes, how they dismissed her concerns, how she had always been a burden in their eyes.
Sally, sensing the shift in Lenore's mood, stammered, trying to bring the focus back to the situation at hand. "I-I'm sure Jack will be fine. But... but we need to help the Mayor first, don't we?"
Aunt Helgamine barely glanced at Sally, her attention still on the possibility of Jack being in danger. "Yes, yes, of course, the Mayor," she said, almost as an afterthought. She moved to grab a mortar and pestle to make a poultice, her hands trembling slightly—not from fear for the Mayor, but from anxiety over Jack's safety.
Aunt Zeldabond, meanwhile, was already starting to brew a potion, her movements quick and agitated.
"We'll tend to the Mayor," she muttered, more to herself than to Lenore or Sally. "But after that, we need to find out what happened to Jack. He's too important to be left to chance."
Lenore stood there, feeling invisible, the sting of their neglectful words settling deep in her chest. They cared more about Jack than they ever had about her, and it was painfully clear now.
She gestured weakly with a quick nod, helping Sally guide the Mayor to the back room, but her thoughts were miles away, tangled in the realization that, to her aunts, she had always been just an afterthought. As they settled the Mayor onto a bench, Aunt Helgamine and Aunt Zeldabond worked with practiced efficiency, but their minds were elsewhere, their concern for Jack overshadowing everything else. The scent of herbs filled the air, but the tension and neglect hung even heavier between them.
Lenore could only hope that Gabriel would find Jack soon and that when this was all over, maybe her aunts would see her for more than the burden they had always treated her as. But deep down, she feared nothing would ever change.
For a moment, the shop was eerily quiet, save for the soft rustling of herbs and the occasional murmur from her aunts. The stillness was suddenly shattered as the shop door burst open, and in came Mummy Boy, Corpse Kid, and the Winged Demon. Their wide eyes quickly turned curious as they spotted the Mayor being tended to in the back room, the curtains left open in the aunts' haste.
"Whoa! What happened here?" Mummy Boy asked, his voice muffled through his wrappings.
Corpse Kid, ever the mischievous one, grinned. "We saw the Mayor fall down the steps of Jack's house!" he said, with a hint of excitement in his voice. "It was kind of funny…I mean, he just rolled all the way down!"
The Winged Demon chuckled, fluttering his wings as he hovered a few inches above the ground. "Yeah, and his hat flew off and landed right in the fountain!"
The Mayor's faces swiveled back and forth, still disoriented. "Fell down… the steps?" he muttered, trying to piece together what had happened. He groaned slightly, as though the memory was starting to come back to him. "That must've been... when..."
Mummy Boy, seeing the Mayor's confusion, piped up again, this time more seriously. "Hey, Mr. Mayor, are you okay? You really hit your head hard."
The Winged Demon, hovering just above them, let out a cackling laugh, though it was more playful than mean-spirited. "Bet it's the first time he's been down to earth like that!"
The Mayor's two faces swiveled back and forth in confusion, struggling to keep up with the whirlwind of teasing and the lingering dizziness from his fall. His primary face, the one that handled most of the talking, managed to focus on Mummy Boy.
"Enough of that!" the Mayor barked, though there was no real anger in his tone. "Mummy Boy, sound the alarm! Jack's missing!"
The playful atmosphere shifted as the gravity of the Mayor's words sank in. Mummy Boy's single eye widened beneath his wrappings, and he gestured with a quick nod. Without another word, the three children dashed out of the shop, their laughter replaced with urgency.
Moments later, the haunting sound of the town's alarm blared through the air, its echo reaching every corner of Halloween Town. The eerie wail sent shivers down Lenore's spine, a reminder of just how serious things had become.
Aunt Helgamine and Aunt Zeldabond finished bandaging the Mayor's head, their movements quick and efficient, though their concern for Jack was still palpable. Once they were done, the Mayor groggily sat up, his faces swiveling again as he tried to regain his composure.
"Thank you, Lenore," the Mayor said, his voice unusually soft. "You did the right thing bringing me here. And don't worry too much about Jack—he's resourceful. We'll find him."
Lenore forced a smile, though the worry gnawing at her insides wouldn't ease. She could see the Mayor's awkward glances toward Sally, clearly unsure of how to address Dr. Finklestein's creation. Sally, sensing his unease, lowered her gaze, clutching her hands together tightly.
The Mayor cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably on the bench. "Sally, isn't it?" he asked, trying to sound polite. "Thank you for your help too."
Sally gave a short bob of her head shyly, murmuring a soft, "Oh, Y-You're welcome, sir."
Lenore watched as her aunts exchanged glances, their attention still primarily focused on the urgency of Jack's disappearance. The Mayor, though still slightly disoriented, pushed himself to his feet with Lenore's help. He looked toward the door, his sense of duty propelling him forward. "I must go and oversee the search," he declared. "The town needs to be organized."
Lenore, sensing her chance to help further, stepped forward. "I'll come with you—"
But before she could finish, Aunt Zeldabond's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist firmly. "Absolutely not," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "You're staying right here, Lenore. The shop cannot be left unattended, especially not now."
"But Auntie," Lenore protested weakly, her heart sinking. "Jack is out there—Gabriel might need me—"
"Enough!" Aunt Helgamine's voice cut through Lenore's plea like a knife. "You've done enough running around for one morning. Your place is here, and that's final."
Lenore's shoulders slumped, her brief spark of hope extinguished. She cast a pleading glance toward Sally, but her friend was just as trapped, standing quietly to the side, unsure of how to intervene.
The Mayor gave Lenore an apologetic look, his faces swiveling once more in discomfort. "It's alright, Lenore. We'll take it from here. Just... stay safe." With that, he offered a curt nod to Aunt Helgamine and Aunt Zeldabond, who promptly ushered him and Sally toward the door. The three of them left the shop, the bell's shrill ring signaling their departure.
Lenore stood frozen in place, feeling the weight of her aunts' authority pressing down on her. The sound of the alarm still echoed outside, a haunting reminder of what was happening beyond the walls of the shop. But here she was, trapped, unable to help, unable to do anything but wait and worry.
The world outside was in chaos, and yet she was forced to stay put, the familiar feeling of neglect and frustration gnawing at her heart. She knew she had to obey, but deep down, the desire to break free and help her friends was stronger than ever. Once again, she was nothing but a burden, someone to be left behind while the important people did important things.
She was still trying to steady her breathing when the shop door creaked open, and she looked up, startled. Her heart sank when she saw who it was. Three children—trick-or-treaters—stood in the doorway, Lock, Shock, and Barrel, their eerie grins stretched wide across their faces.
Lock, with his devilish red hair and twisted horns, was the first to step forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Shock, her green face twisted into a sneer, followed close behind, while Barrel brought up the rear, his skeletal grin full of malice.
Lenore forced a polite smile as they slunk inside, trying to ignore the cold dread curling in her stomach. They were trouble, always had been, even for Halloween Town, and she didn't have the strength to deal with them right now. Still, she couldn't let them see that. She straightened her back and put on the firmest voice she could muster.
"What do you three want?" Lenore demanded, her voice tight, betraying a hint of the unease she tried to suppress. "The shop's not open for whatever twisted game you're playing now."
Lock was the first to speak, his smile stretching unnaturally wide, revealing teeth too sharp, too white. He tilted his head, his eyes glinting with a cruel amusement.
"Now, now, Lenore," he crooned, his voice a slow, serpentine hiss. "Is that any way to greet old friends?" His words slithered out, slick with a menace that made her skin crawl. "There's no need to be so unfriendly," he pouted, sticking out his lower lip in a false pout, his voice oozing with false innocence. "Can't a few kids come into a shop and look around?"
Shock let out a low, grating laugh, her fingers caressing the brim of her witch's hat as if savoring some dark secret. "We're just here to look around, see if there's anything… interesting. We're not here to cause trouble. Honest!" Her voice was laced with false sweetness, each word dripping with the promise of malice.
Barrel, the smallest and most grotesque of the trio, rocked back and forth, his wide, skeletal grin fixed on Lenore. His eyes gleamed with a disturbing childish glee and something else...something far more sinister.
"Not like the town's busy or anything," he said, his voice a sing-song mockery. "Everyone's too preoccupied with finding Jack. It's the perfect time for a little… mischief."
Lenore fought to keep her composure, but the air in the shop had grown thick, suffocating. "I don't have time for this," she snapped, her patience wearing thin. "If you're here for something, say it and leave. I won't tolerate any trouble."
Lock's eyes narrowed, his grin never faltering as he stepped closer, the shadows seeming to cling to him. "Oh, we're not here for trouble, Lenore. We're here to make sure we have everything we need… for later." His voice dropped to a whisper, the words carrying an ominous weight.
"For later?" Lenore echoed, suspicion flaring. She knew better than to trust anything they said. "What are you planning?"
Shock leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial hiss, her breath cold against Lenore's cheek. "We need something to get around in. Something that can move… quietly. You know, just in case." Her smile widened, revealing teeth too pointed, too predatory.
Lenore scoffed as she folded her arms across her chest, trying to hide her growing nervousness. "This is an apothecary, not a vehicle shop. You're in the wrong place if you're looking for a ride."
Shock's grin twisted into something darker, more malicious. "Oh, we know exactly where we are. We've heard about your Aunt Zeldabond's projects. The ones that… move on their own."
Lenore's heart skipped a beat, confusion, and fear mingling. "What are you talking about?"
Before she could demand more, Shock's eyes darted to the corner of the shop, and a wicked gleam flashed across her face. "There it is," she whispered, her voice filled with triumph.
Lenore followed her gaze and felt her blood run cold. In the corner of the shop, half-hidden in shadow sat the large porcelain bathtub, its metal legs twisted and clawed, like something from a nightmare. The tub's surface was dull, marred with grime, and the faintest twitch in its legs sent a shiver down her spine.
"You can't be serious," Lenore muttered, dread creeping into her voice. "That thing? You can't just take it—"
"Oh, we're not taking it," Lock interrupted, his grin stretching impossibly wide, eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. "We're borrowing it. Just for a little while."
Barrel let out a low, unsettling chuckle. "It's perfect," he whispered, almost to himself. "No one will ever suspect."
Lenore's patience finally snapped. "No!" she nearly shouted, her voice cracking. "Aunt Zeldabond is still working on it. You can't just waltz in here and—"
Shock moved closer, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "Why don't you let us handle that, Lenore? We'll be doing the town a favor. Think about how proud your aunts would be if we brought Jack back."
The words struck a nerve, and Lenore's breath caught in her throat. The approval she longed for, dangled before her, but she knew there was no trusting these three.
She squared her shoulders, mustering what little courage she had left. "You're not taking it. That's final."
Shock's eyes darkened, her smile vanishing as her voice turned icy, almost inhuman. "You think you can stop us?"
The room seemed to shrink as the trio advanced, their presence pressing in on her, their shadows growing, distorting into monstrous forms that leered and sneered. Lenore's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down.
Shock's voice slithered into her ears, mocking and venomous. "Come on, Lenore, it's just a tub. Or are you afraid of what your aunt will say when she finds out you didn't sell it to us? Maybe she'll be… disappointed."
Lenore's resolve wavered, her throat tightening as the three surrounded her. Their words were poison, each one twisting deeper into her mind, eroding her defenses.
"We're just trying to help," Lock whispered, his voice as cold as the grave. "Everyone's out searching for Jack, and you're hiding in this shop. If you let us have the tub, we'll cover more ground. Who knows, we might even find him before anyone else."
The pressure was unbearable, their logic twisted and dark, but it struck at her deepest fears. They had her trapped, their cold, unblinking eyes locked onto her, waiting for her to break.
Lenore's voice trembled as she spoke, barely audible. "It's… it's really expensive," she stammered, clinging to the last shreds of her resolve. "You can't afford it."
Shock's eyes flashed with anger, and she leaned in, her voice a deadly whisper. "We're not leaving without it. So you can either sell it to us, or we'll make sure everyone knows you were too scared to help find Jack. What will your aunts say then?"
The threat was like a knife to her gut, and Lenore felt herself crumbling under the weight of their malice. They had her cornered, and they knew it. Finally, with a heavy heart and shaking hands, Lenore assented, her voice hollow as she reluctantly agreed. "Fine… but it'll cost you."
Lock, Shock, and Barrel exchanged dark, victorious grins, their eyes gleaming with triumph.
"Name your price," Lock said, his voice dripping with sinister glee.
Lenore's mind raced, trying to find something, anything that might make this nightmare worth it. "Ten bags of candies," she demanded, her voice shaky. "And the amulet Lock stole from the Graveyard. I saw you take it."
Shock and Barrel glanced at Lock, their expressions darkening, but Lock merely smiled a slow, predatory grin. "Deal," he hissed. "But remember, once this tub is ours, it's out of your hands. If anything happens… it's on you."
Lenore gave a quick dip of her head in acknowledgment, dread pooling in her stomach as they handed over their payment. She knew, deep down, that she was making a terrible mistake, but the trio's presence was a force of nature she couldn't withstand.
As they approached the tub, she stepped aside, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she had just unleashed something dark upon the town. When the door finally closed behind them, Lenore collapsed onto a nearby stool, her heart racing with fear and regret.
She had just sold her aunt's precious project to the three most mischievous kids in Halloween Town, and deep down, she knew it would come back to haunt her.
Hours passed as Lenore sat in the shop, the growing quiet only heightened her anxiety. She replayed the scene over and over, worry gnawing at her as time dragged on.
Suddenly, a chorus of startled cries erupted from outside. Lenore's heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, she rushed to the door, the shouts and murmurs from the townsfolk growing louder as she neared the entrance.
Dread and anticipation swirled within her. What if something had gone wrong? But as soon as she burst outside, the sight that greeted her made Lenore stop in her tracks, a wave of relief washing over her.
Jack was back.
He was coming toward Guillotine Square in his car, the familiar rattle of its engine sending a ripple of excitement through the gathered crowd.
The vehicle was piled high with strange objects, odd and wonderful things Lenore had never seen before—glittering ornaments, curious trinkets, and bizarre contraptions that seemed to defy explanation. It was a chaotic display, yet somehow it all seemed to fit perfectly together as if it had been crafted by Jack's eccentric genius.
But what caught Lenore's attention most of all was the look in Jack's eyes—those hollow sockets that somehow managed to convey so much emotion. He looked eager, and excited, as if he had discovered something truly extraordinary. Whatever he had found, it had reignited the fire within him, and that spark of curiosity in his expression made Lenore wonder what new adventure he had planned.
Before Lenore could get lost in the whirlwind of Jack's return, her thoughts were abruptly pulled back to reality. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching, hoping, and then—she saw him.
Gabriel.
He was standing a little ways off, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of relief and caution. His dark eyes met hers across the square, and Lenore's heart did a little flip. He looked tired, his clothes rumpled and dusted with the dirt from the Hinterlands, but he was safe. He had come back, just like Jack, and the sight of him filled Lenore with a warmth that chased away the last remnants of fear.
For a moment, everything else faded away. The townsfolk, Jack's strange new collection—all of it became a distant blur as Gabriel and Lenore locked eyes.
There was something in his gaze that she couldn't quite decipher, something that made her heart race and her cheeks flush with warmth. The memory of his kiss was still fresh in her mind, and now, seeing him again, it felt as if time had stopped. Lenore wanted to run to him, to tell him how worried she'd been, how much she'd missed him in those few hours he'd been gone. But she couldn't move. She was rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions she didn't know how to process.
As Jack's car rolled into the square, coming to a stop amidst the gathering crowd, the townsfolk began to cheer, their earlier alarm turning into excitement. They surged forward, eager to see what Jack had brought back with him, to hear about his latest adventure. But all Lenore could think about was Gabriel, standing there, waiting for her.
Lenore hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. The world around her was a blur of noise and movement, but her focus remained on Gabriel, his amber eyes locked on hers.
She wanted to run to him, to ask if he was okay, to tell him about everything that had happened since he left. But an invisible barrier of shyness and uncertainty held her back. Her hands trembled, just as they had when she tended to the Mayor, as she stood on the edge of action, paralyzed by the whirlwind of emotions.
The townsfolk's cheers filled the air, celebrating Jack's return, but Lenore felt oddly disconnected, still struggling with the weight of everything that had happened—her aunts' harsh words, the pressure from Lock, Shock, and Barrel, the guilt of selling the enchanted tub. It all pressed down on her, making her feel small and insignificant.
But then Gabriel took a step toward her, his expression softening as he moved closer. The realization that he was coming to her sent a jolt of warmth through her chest. She didn't have to do this alone. He was here, and maybe that was enough. Gathering her courage, Lenore took a step forward. With each movement, the fear that had gripped her heart began to loosen, Gabriel's presence pulling her out of the storm of her thoughts.
When they finally stood face to face, Lenore struggled to find her voice. Her throat felt tight, but she forced herself to speak. "You… you're back."
Gabriel chuckled softly, the sound of the ghoul's laugh calming her frayed nerves. "I told you I would be, and that I'd find Jack," he said, his voice a low rumble that eased her anxiety.
Lenore managed a small, wavering smile. "You...you did. But everything's been so… chaotic since you left."
Gabriel's brow furrowed in concern as he studied her face. "What happened? Are you okay?"
She wanted to tell him everything—the Mayor's injury, her aunts' harsh words, the fear that had gnawed at her ever since Gabriel had left. But the words tangled in her throat, and all she could manage was a shaky nod. "I'm… I'm okay. It's just… a lot."
Gabriel seemed to understand, his expression softening even more. "I'm sorry I wasn't here to help you, Lenore," he said quietly. "But you handled it, didn't you? You're stronger than you think."
His words sent a flush of warmth through her, and for the first time since the morning's chaos began, Lenore felt a flicker of pride. Maybe she wasn't as strong as Gabriel or as fearless as Jack, but she had tried her best. And somehow, hearing Gabriel acknowledge that meant more than she could express.
Before she could respond, the crowd around them began to shift, excitement building as Jack stepped out of his car, ready to address the townsfolk. Lenore could feel the energy in the air, the anticipation of whatever strange and wonderful thing Jack had discovered. But she found it hard to focus on anything other than Gabriel's steady presence beside her.
"Come on," Gabriel said gently, offering her his hand. "Let's see what Jack's been up to."
Lenore hesitated for only a moment before taking his hand, the simple act of connection giving her the strength she needed. As they moved toward Guillotine Square, the crowd's excitement swelled, drawing their attention back to the center where Jack had just climbed out of his car. His voice cut through the noise, filled with an unmistakable enthusiasm.
"Citizens of Halloween Town!" Jack called out, his words echoing through the square. "I've found something truly extraordinary! A place like no other, filled with wonders you've never imagined! A place called… Christmas Town!"
The crowd gasped, murmurs of confusion and curiosity spreading like wildfire. The name was strange, unfamiliar, but the look in Jack's eyes told Lenore that he was completely captivated by it.
Whatever this Christmas Town was, it had taken hold of Jack's imagination, and Lenore could sense that this was just the beginning of something far bigger than any of them could have anticipated.
As the curious murmurs of the crowd grew louder, Jack raised his skeletal hand for silence. The townsfolk quickly quieted, their curiosity piqued by the enigmatic name Jack had just revealed. Lenore could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation buzzing like static electricity.
"I know this is all very sudden," Jack continued, his voice brimming with excitement, "but this discovery is too important to delay. I'm calling for an emergency Town Hall meeting—immediately! Please," Jack urged, his tone softening as he addressed the crowd, "gather your families and join me at Town Hall. We have much to discuss, and your input will be invaluable. Halloween Town has always thrived on creativity, and now, more than ever, we need that spirit to guide us."
The crowd buzzed with energy, the murmur of voices growing louder as everyone tried to make sense of Jack's urgency. Lenore noticed the Mayor, his two faces spinning in opposite directions—one displaying his usual smile, the other twisted into sheer panic. He scurried forward, waving his hands frantically.
"An emergency meeting, Jack, now?!" the Mayor sputtered, clearly flustered by the sudden turn of events. "But—but Jack, we haven't prepared anything! The Hall isn't ready, the seating, the lighting—"
Jack cut him off with a wave of his hand, his enthusiasm undeterred. "There's no time for that, Mayor! This is too important! We must gather everyone immediately!"
The Mayor's panic only deepened as he struggled to keep up with Jack's relentless energy, but it was clear Jack's mind was made up. He was already moving toward the Hall, his long strides purposeful, his excitement contagious.
Lenore felt a heavy weight settle on her shoulders as the reality of the situation hit her. Her aunts. She could feel their eyes on her from across the square, their earlier anger probably flaring up again because of the chaos around them.
When she glanced over, she saw Aunt Helgamine and Aunt Zeldabond standing together, their faces showing frustration and expectation. But there was something else—they noticed how close Gabriel was to her. Their glares grew sharper as they realized he was taking an interest in her.
Lenore knew they thought she had purposely ignored their orders to stay and watch the shop. But before guilt and anxiety could take over, she felt Gabriel's warm, steady hand in hers. He saw her aunts glaring and frowned.
"I'll talk to them later," he said softly, his voice firm but reassuring.
She looked up at him, and the calm strength in his eyes made her feel a bit better.
"We should go," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Jack won't stop until he's said what he needs to say."
Lenore gave a slight tilt of her head and squeezed his hand, feeling more grounded. With Gabriel by her side, she found the courage to face whatever was coming next.
Even with her aunts' disapproval and the uncertainty of what Jack's latest obsession might mean, she turned away from the crowd, ignoring the curious stares and her aunts' simmering anger, and headed toward the Hall with Gabriel. Her heart pounded, both dread and anticipation swirling inside her.
What had Jack found? What was Christmas Town, and why was it so important to him? And most of all, how would it change Halloween Town—and them? The crowd began to follow them as they made their way toward the Hall, the murmur of voices rising like a tide around them. The Mayor continued flapping about, trying to regain some semblance of control, but Jack's excitement was infectious, and the townsfolk were too curious to resist.
Gabriel and Lenore exchanged a look as they reached the steps of the Hall, the massive wooden doors looming before them. There was no turning back now.
Whatever Jack had to say, they would have to hear it—along with everyone else in Halloween Town.
As they stepped towards Town Hall, hand in hand, Lenore couldn't shake the feeling that their lives were about to change in ways they couldn't yet imagine. Jack's discovery had ignited something within him, and she had a sense that this meeting was only the beginning.
Before following Gabriel deeper into the Hall, Lenore glanced back toward the square. Among the crowd, she spotted Sally standing quietly at the edge, her eyes fixed on Jack. The way Sally looked at him—filled with admiration and longing, and perhaps even love—was unmistakable.
Lenore caught Sally's eye, and for a brief moment, the two friends shared a silent understanding. With a small nod and a reassuring smile, Lenore turned back to Gabriel, ready to face whatever was to come, knowing she wasn't alone.
Together, they stepped into the Hall, where the future of Halloween Town—and perhaps even their own—awaited.