THE sky over Halloween Town was dark and heavy with rain, the kind that soaked you to the bone no matter how fast you moved. The wind whistled through the crooked streets, carrying the smell of wet earth and dead leaves. Lenore Halloway ran through the rain, her heart pounding in her chest. She clutched her thin, worn-out coat that had seen better days tightly behind her, but it didn't do much to keep the cold away. Her boots squished with every step as they filled with water from the deep puddles in the uneven cobblestone streets. She was late—again.
The witch's shop, owned by her aunts, Helgamine and Zeldabond, stood ahead, its old sign hanging in the wind. The sign read "Witch's Shop" in fading, curling letters. The windows were dirty and dim, lit only by a few flickering candles inside, casting a weak glow on the wet street outside.
Lenore's heart sank as she approached the heavy wooden door. This place was more than just her workplace; it felt like a prison where she was trapped by her aunts' demands and her fear of what lay beyond.
Letting out a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, Lenore grabbed the iron door handle and pushed the door open. The hinges creaked loudly, making her shiver as she stepped inside. The shop was dark and musty, the air filled with the smell of old herbs and incense that never seemed to leave.
Shelves lined the walls, packed with dusty bottles, strange trinkets, and ancient, cracked books. A single, flickering candle sat on the counter, casting long shadows across the cluttered room.
"Late again, Lenore, are we?" a cold voice hissed from the shadows. Lenore's stomach twisted with fear. Her aunt Helgamine stepped into the light, her sharp eyes narrowing as she looked at Lenore.
Helgamine was the oldest of the two remaining Halloway sisters, her gray face pinched and hard from years of bitterness. Her bony fingers tapped on the counter as she stared at Lenore with disdain.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Helgamine," Lenore whispered, her voice barely audible. "The rain—"
"Excuses," Aunt Helgamine snapped, cutting her off. "Always excuses with you, Lenore. Just like your mother."
The words hurt, as they always did. Lenore bit her lip, swallowing the protest that rose in her throat. It was pointless to argue with Helgamine; she had learned that lesson a long time ago.
"Get to work, Lenore," Helgamine continued, her voice icy. "There's a new shipment that needs sorting, and the potions need to be restocked. If I or Zeldabond catch you slacking off, you'll regret it."
Lenore nodded quickly, keeping her eyes on the floor as she hurried past her aunt. She could feel Helgamine's gaze burning into her back as she headed to the back of the shop where the storeroom was. The air was cold and damp, and the flickering candlelight barely reached into the gloom. She quickly got to work, her hands moving automatically as she sorted through the dusty crates and jars. The rain continued to drum against the roof, a constant, dreary noise that matched her glum mood.
As she worked, a familiar sense of hopelessness settled over her. How many times had she wished for something to change? But wishes didn't come true, not for her. As Lenore reached for a heavy jar of powdered bat wings, her fingers brushed against something smooth and cold.
She paused, frowning, and pulled a small, carved box from the crate. It was made of dark wood, polished to a shine, with strange symbols etched into its surface. Lenore's curiosity flared, breaking through the dull routine of her day. She had never seen this box before, and it didn't look like anything her aunts usually kept in the shop.
Glancing over her shoulder to make sure Aunt Helgamine and Aunt Zeldabond weren't watching, Lenore carefully opened the lid. Inside, resting on a bed of black velvet, was a delicate necklace with a charm shaped like a pumpkin, glowing a faint orange even in the dim light.
Lenore felt a strange thrumming magic coming from the pendant, a comforting energy that seemed to wrap around her like a blanket. For a moment, the cold, damp storeroom faded away, replaced by a feeling of peace. But the moment didn't last.
A loud crash from the front of the shop shattered the silence, followed by Helgamine's shrill, sharp voice barking orders at someone—probably Aunt Zeldabond, who was just as cruel to her, though less sharp-tongued. Lenore quickly closed the box and tucked it back into the crate, her heart racing. Whatever that necklace was, it wasn't meant for her to find. She tried to focus on her work, but her mind kept wandering to the mysterious pumpkin charm necklace and the comforting feeling it had brought her.
Maybe, just maybe, it was a hint that her life was on the verge of change.
But as if to pull her back to reality, the storeroom door burst open, and Aunt Zeldabond's short, stout figure stood framed in the doorway.
"Stop daydreaming and get moving, girl!" Aunt Zeldabond snapped, her voice grating on Lenore's nerves. "Gregor Graveshaw's son is coming by this afternoon, and everything must be perfect by the time he arrives!"
Lenore's heart skipped a beat. Gregor Graveshaw's son? She had never met him, but she had heard the stories—about his charm, his influence, and his powerful family. But why would someone like him be interested in their old, rundown shop?
As she continued her work, Lenore couldn't shake the feeling that something in Halloween Town was shifting, something that might transform her life in ways she couldn't yet imagine. With the rain pouring outside, she found herself hoping that her world was on the verge of opening up.
Suddenly, a loud, shrill scream echoed through the shop like a banshee's wail as the front door to the witch's shop was opened. Lenore flinched at the sound, her heart skipping a beat. She had heard the bell countless times, but this time was different. This time, she couldn't help but wonder if it was him.
Her hands trembled slightly as she set down the jar she was holding and wiped her damp palms on her skirt. Curiosity and a touch of fear gripped her as she slowly turned her head toward the front of the shop.
From her spot behind the cluttered shelves, Lenore could see the faint outline of someone tall and broad-shouldered standing in the doorway, his figure illuminated by the weak light from outside. She held her breath, her pulse quickening. She had heard so much about him, but never had she imagined she would see him in person.
Quietly, Lenore ducked behind a nearby shelf, pressing herself into the shadows. The shelves were packed with bottles, jars, and strange trinkets, making it easy for her to remain hidden while she peered through a small gap between the items. She could just make out the figure of the man as he stepped further into the shop, the door creaking shut behind him.
Gregor Graveshaw's son was, indeed, everything the rumors of him had promised. He was a ghoul, but not in the typical sense of the word. His appearance was more refined, and more composed, lacking the scary features that many other ghouls of Halloween Town possessed.
His skin was pale gray, smooth, and without blemishes, with a faint, soft glow that made him seem almost otherworldly. His black hair was neatly combed back, though a few strands fell loose across his forehead, giving him a slightly wild and carefree look. He had sharp, defined features—a strong jaw, high cheekbones, and a straight nose that made him look both strong and thoughtful.
But it was his eyes that caught Lenore's attention the most. They were a striking amber, and within them, small, almost invisible sparks seemed to flicker, like a fire burning quietly inside him. His gaze was intense and focused, and as he looked around her aunts' shop, he seemed genuinely curious and observant.
He wore a well-fitted black coat that suited his tall, lean figure, with polished boots that made hardly any noise on the wooden floor. A silver chain hung from his waistcoat, catching the dim light, and his hands, covered in dark leather gloves, rested casually at his sides as he took in the sights of the shop.
Lenore's breath caught as she watched him. He seemed so out of place in this dusty, dark little shop, yet he moved with ease, as if he was comfortable in any setting, no matter how strange. She had expected someone more intimidating, maybe even scary, given his family's power in Halloween Town.
But Gregor Graveshaw's son, Gabriel, was different. There was a calmness about him, a quiet strength that was more interesting than the loud, boastful personalities she usually encountered.
Lenore pressed herself further into the shadows, her heart racing as Gabriel approached the counter where her aunt Helgamine stood. His presence filled the room, not with fear, but with a quiet kind of authority that made the air feel heavier, charged with something she didn't quite understand.
"Good morning," Gabriel said, his voice smooth and deep, with just a hint of warmth, though it still had the cool, distant tone that ghouls often had. "I'm here for an order my father placed."
Aunt Helgamine, who rarely showed respect to anyone in Halloween Town except for Gregor Graveshaw and Halloween Town's Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, gave a small nod, her sharp features softening just a bit as she looked at him. "Of course, Mr. Graveshaw. We've been expecting you."
Lenore's curiosity grew as she watched the exchange. Her fingers itched to touch the strange, comforting pumpkin pendant she had found earlier, but she forced herself to stay still and hidden.
She wasn't supposed to be involved in this—this was a world of frighteningly powerful creatures and important decisions, far beyond her quiet life in the shadows of her aunts' shop. Yet, something about Gabriel Graveshaw made her feel like she was being pulled into that world, whether she wanted to be or not.
As Aunt Helgamine turned to fetch the order, Gabriel's curious gaze swept around the dimly lit shop again, and for one terrifying moment, Lenore thought he might have seen her hiding behind the shelf. She held her breath, her heart thudding in her chest as his eyes lingered on the spot where she crouched. But then, just as quickly, his attention moved on, and Lenore let out a silent breath of relief.
She couldn't help but wonder why someone like him, with all his power and influence, would come to their old, run-down shop in person. What did he want from them? And more importantly, what did this mean for her?
Lenore stayed perfectly still, trying to blend into the shadows behind the shelf. She watched as Gabriel Graveshaw's eyes scanned the room, his gaze thoughtful and curious. For a moment, she thought she was safe, that he hadn't noticed her, but then his eyes stopped, fixing on the spot where she was hiding.
Her heart skipped a beat. He had seen her. For a split second, Lenore considered ducking down further or slipping away quietly, but it was too late. Gabriel's eyes locked onto hers, and she could see a flicker of surprise in his expression, quickly followed by something else—curiosity, maybe even interest.
Gabriel didn't move immediately. He seemed to be assessing her, trying to figure out who she was and why she was hiding. Lenore felt her face grow hot, her usual shyness bubbling up as she realized she had been caught. She knew she should stand up, and explain herself, but her feet felt rooted to the spot, and her voice wouldn't come.
"Hello," Gabriel said softly, his voice carrying easily across the room, though it was calm and measured. It wasn't the kind of voice you would expect from someone so powerful—it was almost… gentle.
Lenore swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. "H-hello," she managed to whisper, barely loud enough to be heard.
Aunt Helgamine, who had been busy gathering the order, noticed the exchange and shot a sharp glance in Lenore's direction. "Lenore!" she snapped, her shrill voice cutting through the tension. "What in Samhain's name are you doing lurking back there? Get out here and stop wasting time!"
Lenore flinched at her aunt's harsh tone but knew there was no point in trying to hide any longer. She slowly straightened up, brushing her clammy hands on the flowing skirts of her purple silk witch's dress, and stepped out from behind the shelf. She kept her eyes down, too shy to look directly at Gabriel again, though she could still feel his gaze burning into her.
"I-I'm sorry," Lenore stammered, keeping her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I…I didn't mean to…I—I was just—"
But Gabriel held up a hand, stopping her nervous explanation. "No, there's no need to apologize," he said kindly. "I didn't mean to startle you." His tone was polite, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes as if he found the situation a little amusing rather than annoying or bothersome.
Lenore finally dared to glance up at him, and what she saw in his expression surprised her. There was no annoyance, no anger—just a quiet, thoughtful interest. It was as if he were genuinely curious about her, rather than irritated by her presence, like her aunts and most in Halloween Town were.
Lenore felt her pulse quicken, her shyness tugging at her to flee, but there was something in Gabriel's gaze that kept her rooted to the spot. It wasn't just curiosity—there was a depth to his amber eyes, a flicker of something she couldn't quite place, but it made her feel as though she wasn't invisible for once, as if someone truly saw her.
Gabriel's head tilted slightly, and the ghost of a smile touched his lips. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice still soft, as if he were aware of the effect he had on her and didn't want to scare her off.
Lenore opened her mouth to answer, but her throat felt dry, and the words caught. She could feel her aunt's sharp gaze on her, a silent warning not to embarrass the family or waste Gabriel's time. She swallowed and forced herself to speak.
"Lenore," she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lenore Halloway."
Gabriel's smile grew a fraction, his eyes never leaving hers. "Lenore," he repeated, as if tasting the name on his tongue, weighing it carefully. "It suits you."
Heat flushed her cheeks, and Lenore found herself wishing she could melt into the floor, though a small part of her was secretly thrilled by the compliment. No one had ever spoken to her like that before, especially not someone as important as Gabriel Graveshaw.
Aunt Helgamine, not one to be ignored for long, cleared her throat loudly, her patience wearing thin. "Mr. Graveshaw, if you'll follow me, your order is ready."
Gabriel's gaze lingered on Lenore for a moment longer, as if he were reluctant to look away, but he eventually turned his attention to Aunt Helgamine. "Thank you," he said politely, though his voice had lost a bit of the politeness it had held when speaking to Lenore.
While Aunt Helgamine led him to the counter, Lenore watched them from the corner of her eye, still struggling to process what had just happened. Gabriel Graveshaw, the son of one of Halloween Town's most powerful figures, had not only noticed her but had spoken to her as if she were someone worth noticing. It was such a stark contrast to how her aunts treated her—how everyone in this town treated her—that it left her feeling unsteady, like the ground beneath her had shifted.
As Aunt Helgamine handed Gabriel the small, intricately carved box, Lenore's thoughts returned to the pumpkin pendant she had found inside it. There was something about this entire day that felt different, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. She wasn't sure what it all meant, but she couldn't shake the feeling that the pendant and Gabriel's appearance were connected somehow.
Gabriel took the box with a nod of thanks, his gloved fingers brushing against Aunt Helgamine's bony hand for the briefest of moments. He then turned back to Lenore, his eyes catching hers once more.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Lenore," he said, his voice sincere.
Lenore's heart fluttered, and she struggled to find the right words. "It was… it was nice to meet you too, Mr. Graveshaw."
"Gabriel," he corrected gently. "You can call me Gabriel."
The use of his first name made her blush even more, but she nodded. "Gabriel," she repeated softly.
With one last smile, Gabriel turned and walked out of the shop, the heavy door creaking shut behind him. Lenore stared after him, the quiet thud of the door closing echoing in her mind. It was only when Aunt Helgamine snapped her fingers in front of her face that she was jolted back to reality.
"Stop gawking and get back to work, girl," Aunt Helgamine barked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "And stay out of sight next time. We don't need you making a fool of yourself in front of important customers."
Lenore ducked her head in a quick nod, murmuring a quiet apology as she hurried back to the storeroom. But even as she resumed her tasks, her thoughts were far from the dusty bottles and ancient books. Gabriel's face, his voice, the way he had looked at her—none of it would leave her mind.
And neither would the strange, comforting feeling of the pumpkin pendant hidden in the crate behind her. For the first time in a long while, Lenore allowed herself to wonder if her life in Halloween Town was truly about to change, and if Gabriel Graveshaw might somehow be a part of that change.
As the rain continued to fall outside, she couldn't help but feel a spark of hope flickering in the gloom, like the tiny flame of a candle just waiting for a gust of wind to turn it into a blaze.
Lenore's hands moved mechanically as she resumed sorting the dusty jars and bottles, but her mind was far from the task at hand. Every time she tried to focus on her work, her thoughts drifted back to Gabriel—his intense amber eyes, the calm authority in his voice, and the way he had looked at her as if she were more than just a shadow in the corner of a dingy shop.
Her heart fluttered with the memory, and she found herself glancing toward the front of the shop every few minutes, half-hoping to see him return, though she knew that was unlikely. He was probably already gone, back to whatever important matters the Graveshaw family attended to in Halloween Town. But the thought of him still lingered, an emberflame in the cold, dark space of her life.
Even the familiar, biting commands of her aunts couldn't fully drag her back to reality. Aunt Helgamine's sharp voice, which usually made her jump to attention, now seemed distant, muffled by the haze of her thoughts. Aunt Zeldabond's grating complaints barely registered as Lenore's mind replayed every moment of her brief encounter with Gabriel.
Why had he been so kind to her? What did it mean that he had asked for her name and insisted she call him by his? It was as if he had seen something in her, something more than just the timid, quiet girl who spent her days under the watchful eyes of her cruel aunts.
The idea was both thrilling and terrifying.
Lenore caught herself nearly dropping a jar of dried spider legs when a loud crash from the front of the shop startled her. It was just a customer knocking over a stack of books, but her heart leaped into her throat, her nerves on edge from the excitement and confusion still swirling in her chest. She placed the jar down carefully, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that her encounter with Gabriel had marked the beginning of something new, something that might finally pull her out of the dull, suffocating routine of her life in Halloween Town. The thought was like a small, fragile bird fluttering in her chest, eager to take flight, but afraid of the unknown sky.
The hours dragged on, each one feeling longer than the last as Lenore struggled to push through her shift. Every time the shop door creaked open, she found herself glancing up with a hopeful flutter in her heart, only to feel the sting of disappointment when it wasn't him. Her aunts, busy with their tasks, didn't seem to notice her distracted state, and for that, she was grateful. She wasn't sure she could explain what was going on inside her head, even if she had to.
By the time the shop finally closed for the night, Lenore felt drained, not from the work, but from the emotional whirlwind that had taken over her mind. As she wiped down the counter one last time, she couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. Would Gabriel return? Would she ever have a chance to speak to him again, or was this just a fleeting moment in the endless cold of her life?
Letting out a final, frustrated sigh, Lenore snuffed out the last flickering candle, casting the shop into darkness. She wrapped her coat tightly around her and stepped out into the rain-soaked streets of Halloween Town, the cold air biting at her skin and tousling her dark chestnut curls away from her face. The sky remained dark, and the rain still fell, but tonight, the world didn't seem quite as bleak as it usually did.
As she trudged back to her aunts' home, she couldn't shake the image of Gabriel's amber eyes from her mind—a glowing ember that warmed her even on the chilly night. She knew she was being foolish, that someone like him would never look at her twice, but as she reached the small, cramped room she called home, she held on to the small hope that maybe, just maybe, things were about to change.
And with that thought, Lenore Halloway allowed herself a tiny smile as she closed the door to her room, the beautiful pumpkin pendant and the memory of Gabriel's voice still lingering in her heart.