GABRIEL Graveshaw walked through Guillotine Square, the cobblestones slick and shiny from the ever-persistent rain this time of year in Halloween Town. The cold wind tugged at his coat, making the night feel even darker and lonelier than usual. Halloween Town was always a place of shadows, where eerie things lurked around every corner, but tonight, Gabriel wasn't focused on any of that.
He was thinking about her.
Lenore Halloway. Her name kept echoing in his mind, along with the image of the witch's shy, wide-eyed face. He had met many people in Halloween Town—other ghouls like him, goblins, demons, vampires, monsters, and all sorts of other strange creatures—but Lenore was different.
There was something about her that he couldn't forget. She didn't resemble her aunts or any other witches in Halloween Town. Her skin was pale and flawless, without the warts or blemishes typical of witches, almost luminous in the dim light. She looked almost…human. Her dark chestnut hair, warm and glossy even in the shadows, cascaded in gentle curls, framing her face with an ethereal beauty. Unlike the wild, ashen, or sickly green hair of other witches, Lenore's was silky, soft, and inviting.
Something about Lenore had stirred something within him, something he hadn't felt in a long time. Gabriel remembered the way she had hidden behind the shelves, trying to make herself invisible in the dim light of the shop.
She had been like a frightened rabbit, small and trembling, but there had been a quiet strength in her, too—a flicker of defiance in the way she finally stepped out to face him, despite the sharp words of her aunt. That quiet strength had intrigued him, drawing him to her like a moth to a flame.
As Gabriel passed between the twisted iron gates of the square, he couldn't help but replay the brief encounter in his mind. Her voice had been soft, barely audible above the hum of the witch's shop and the drumming of the rain on the roof, but it had held a vulnerability that tugged at something deep within him.
He had seen the way her hands trembled as she spoke, how her eyes darted nervously between him and the floor, yet she had not fled from him, even when it would have been so easy to do so.
There was a power in that kind of bravery, in facing one's fears even when every instinct screamed to run. Gabriel knew it well, for he had been taught from a young age that true power did not come from brute strength, but from mastering the fear that lived inside all creatures, no matter how formidable they appeared on the outside.
As the wind howled through the narrow alleys, shaking the old signs and shutters, Gabriel's thoughts returned to why he had visited the shop. The pumpkin pendant in the carved box he carried felt heavy in his coat pocket as if it held more than just its physical weight. It was an old family heirloom, sent to the witch sisters to be restored with their magic.
His father had insisted it needed to be returned to their family, though Gabriel still didn't know why. He had snuck away from yet another boring Town Council meeting, desperate to escape the endless discussions his father forced him to attend.
Wandering into the witch's shop, he hadn't expected to find someone like Lenore. She had tried to hide from him, but her shy, dark eyes and soft voice had caught his attention immediately. There was a quiet strength in her, something that made him want to know more.
As Gabriel walked, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Lenore was different, not just in looks but in the way she made him feel—alive, curious, and protective. He knew he had to see her again.
The sound of a distant, ethereal bark echoed through the damp air, pulling Gabriel from his thoughts. He paused, tilting his head slightly to catch the direction of the noise.
It was faint, almost as if it came from the other side of the veil between the living and the dead, yet there was no mistaking it.
Zero.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of Gabriel's mouth. He turned his gaze toward the direction of the sound, and just as he suspected, a glowing ghostly figure was darting through the mist, leaving a trail of light in its wake.
Zero, with his little jack-o'-lantern nose aglow, seemed to be on some sort of whimsical chase as he chased a stray black cat in a moment of play.
Gabriel watched the ghost dog for a moment, feeling a rare lightness in his chest, a stark contrast to the heaviness of his recent thoughts.
Suddenly, in his distraction, Gabriel felt a jolt as he collided with something—or rather, someone. He staggered back, quickly steadying himself, and looked up to find himself face-to-face with Jack Skellington.
Jack's towering, skeletal form loomed over him, his hollow eye sockets seeming to glimmer with surprise. The Pumpkin King tilted his head, the perpetual grin on his face somehow managing to look both amused and concerned at the same time.
"Gabriel!" Jack exclaimed, his voice a deep, resonant echo. "Forgive me, I didn't see you there. Are you alright?"
Gabriel blinked, still processing the unexpected encounter. "Jack! I'm fine, just…a bit lost in thought, I guess." He straightened his coat, trying to shake off the slight embarrassment of having bumped into the most important figure in all of Halloween Town besides his father.
Jack chuckled, the sound like dry leaves rustling in the wind. "It seems you're not the only one. Zero was leading me on a bit of a chase, and I suppose I wasn't paying attention to where I was going either."
At the mention of his name, Zero appeared from behind Jack, the stray cat he had been chasing away long forgotten, his translucent body glowing softly in the dim light. The little ghost dog floated up to Gabriel, sniffing curiously at him with his glowing pumpkin nose before giving a cheerful bark.
Gabriel smiled down at Zero, giving him a gentle pat, though the sensation was more like touching cool air than fur. "I've heard a lot about Zero, but I think this is the first time we've met."
Zero barked again, tilting his head happily, and Jack's grin seemed to widen, if that were even possible. "He seems to like you, Gabriel. That's a good sign."
Gabriel chuckled, feeling some of his earlier tension dissipate. "Well, it's not every day you get the approval of the Pumpkin King's best friend."
Jack's gaze, though hollow, felt strangely perceptive as it settled on Gabriel. "Zero and I were just stretching our legs—or, well, his…ghostly form, I suppose." He paused for a moment and continued to look at Gabriel, his gaze intense as he studied him closely. "And what about you, Gabriel? Out in this dreary weather, lost in thought as usual? You seem…especially preoccupied tonight, more than usual. Is there something on your mind?"
Gabriel hesitated, his thoughts briefly returning to Lenore. But he wasn't sure how to explain what he was feeling—or even if he should. "Just…thinking about someone."
Jack's grin softened, and he gave a knowing nod. "Ah, matters of the heart, then. Halloween Town may be a place of spooks and scares, but even here, those feelings can find their way in."
Gabriel sighed, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him again. "I'm afraid it's more complicated than that, Jack. There's something about her…something different. And I don't know what to do about it."
Jack paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "This person you speak of it, is it perhaps…a certain young witch?"
Gabriel froze, caught off guard by Jack's perceptiveness. He had always known Jack to be observant, but it was still unsettling how easily the Pumpkin King could see through him. Gabriel gave a small, almost sheepish nod as he stiffened slightly, recognizing there was no point in denying it. "Is it that obvious?"
Jack chuckled again, this time with a softer tone. "Only to those who know where to look. I always keep an eye on what's happening in Halloween Town, especially as the holiday approaches. I happened to see you enter the witch's shop as Zero and I were leaving Town Hall after meeting with the Mayor about the final touches for Halloween. But don't worry. Lenore Halloway is kind, though a bit unusual compared to the other witches here. Then again, aren't we all a bit...different in this town?"
Gabriel managed a small smile, but his mind was still swirling with doubts. "Different is one way to put it," he murmured, more to himself than to Jack.
Jack leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if to share a secret. "If there's one thing I've learned in my time as the Pumpkin King, Gabriel, it's that being different isn't something to fear—it's something to embrace. Halloween Town thrives on its uniqueness, on the strange and the unusual. Perhaps what you see in Lenore is something that resonates with the part of you that feels…out of place, too."
Gabriel felt a pang in his chest at Jack's words. There was a truth in them that he hadn't been willing to admit to himself. He had always felt like an outsider in Halloween Town, even though his family was one of the oldest and most respected. The Graveshaws had always been about duty, tradition, and keeping up appearances. But Gabriel had never quite fit the mold. He was more interested in exploring the town's mysteries, in understanding the creatures that lived in the shadows than in following his father's footsteps on the Town Council.
Lenore, with her quiet strength and gentle spirit, seemed like a reflection on that part of him he had always kept hidden—a part that longed for something different, something more.
Jack's voice broke through his thoughts again, gentle but firm. "If you're drawn to her, Gabriel, there's likely a reason. And perhaps, she feels the same way, but the only way to find out is to see her again."
Gabriel looked up at Jack, surprise flickering across his gaunt features. "Do you really think so? I mean, we barely know each other."
Jack nodded slowly. "True, but sometimes it doesn't take long to recognize something special. Besides, Halloween Town is a place where the impossible happens all the time. If you're willing to take a chance, who knows what might come of it?"
Gabriel quietly considered Jack's words, the weight of the pendant in his pocket suddenly feeling less burdensome and more like a reminder—of the possibilities that lay before him. "I guess you're right," he said softly. "I just…don't want to scare her away."
Jack placed a bony hand on Gabriel's shoulder, his touch surprisingly reassuring despite its skeletal nature. "Then approach her with the same gentleness you saw in her. Let her see that you're not just another creature of Halloween Town, but someone who understands what it means to be different, to be alone in a crowd. If you do that, I have a feeling things might turn out better than you expect."
Gabriel nodded, feeling a newfound resolve settling in his chest. "Thank you, Jack. I think…I think I needed to hear that."
Jack's perpetual grin widened slightly, his hollow eyes twinkling with encouragement. "It's what friends are for, Gabriel. Why not invite her to join you tomorrow night at the Halloween celebration? Show her a side of Halloween Town she's never seen before—through your eyes. The celebration isn't just about frights and scares—it's about connection, too. Why don't you ask her?"
Gabriel felt his pulse quicken at the suggestion. The idea of asking Lenore to go with him to the Halloween celebration both excited and terrified him. It wasn't just a simple invitation—it was a step into the unknown, a chance to see if the connection he had felt with Lenore Halloway back in the witch's shop was real or just a fleeting fancy.
"Ask her?" Gabriel repeated, trying to keep his voice steady. "You think she'd say yes?"
Jack tilted his head thoughtfully as if weighing his next words carefully. "There's only one way to find out. Besides, who could resist the charm of Gabriel Graveshaw?" he added with a playful wink, his tone light and teasing.
Gabriel chuckled despite himself, the tension in his chest easing just a little. "You make it sound so easy."
"Nothing worthwhile is ever easy," Jack replied, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "But that's what makes it meaningful. Lenore is different, yes, but so are you. Maybe that's exactly why you're drawn to each other."
Gabriel nodded, feeling the weight of Jack's words settle in his mind. He had always prided himself on facing the unknown without fear, on embracing the strange and mysterious aspects of Halloween Town. But when it came to matters of the heart, he found himself hesitant, uncertain.
"Tomorrow night, then," Gabriel said, more to himself than to Jack. "I'll ask her to join me."
Jack's grin returned to its usual cheerful self. "That's the spirit! And who knows? Maybe tomorrow night will be the beginning of something truly magical."
As the wind howled through Guillotine Square and the shadows danced with the flickering lanterns, Gabriel couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope igniting within him. Tomorrow night would be a night of surprises, of that he was sure. And maybe, just maybe, it would be the start of something new with Lenore.
"Thank you, Jack," Gabriel said, his voice sincere. "I'll let you know how it goes."
Jack gave him a firm nod, his bony hand giving Gabriel's shoulder a final, reassuring squeeze. "I'll be looking forward to it, my friend."
Gabriel adjusted his coat against the cold wind as he looked up at Jack, the ever-present grin of the Pumpkin King a comforting sight in the eerie streets of Halloween Town. He'd always admired Jack's enthusiasm, his unwavering dedication to making each Halloween more spectacular than the last. As they walked together through the mist-shrouded square, Gabriel turned to Jack with a casual question.
"Looking forward to Halloween tomorrow night?" Gabriel asked, expecting the usual gleeful response.
To his surprise, Jack's grin faltered. It was a subtle shift, but enough for Gabriel to notice the change in his expression. The hollow eye sockets of the Pumpkin King seemed to darken, and for the first time, Gabriel saw something he never thought he'd see in Jack Skellington: weariness.
"No," Jack replied, his voice quieter than usual. "I'm not if I'm being honest with you."
Gabriel stopped in his tracks, taken aback. "What do you mean, 'no'? Isn't this what you live for, Jack? Halloween is everything to you."
Jack sighed, his tone frustrated. He turned his gaze away from Gabriel, staring off into the distance where the fog swirled and the shadows danced. For a moment, he seemed less like the towering figure of Halloween Town's legend and more like a skeleton weighed down by something unseen.
"Year after year, it's always the same," Jack said, his voice carrying a note of frustration. "The same scares, the same frights, the same excitement—but it's all become so…dull. Predictable."
Gabriel frowned, trying to understand. "But everyone loves what you do. Halloween wouldn't be the same without you."
Jack shook his head slowly, his bony hand reaching up to rub his temple in an almost human gesture. "That's just it, Gabriel. Everyone expects the same thing from me, year after year. The same tricks, the same scares. I pour everything into making each Halloween memorable, but lately, it all feels like I'm just going through the motions. There's no spark anymore, no thrill."
Gabriel had never seen Jack like this. The Pumpkin King, the one who embodied the very spirit of Halloween, looked tired, almost defeated. He felt a pang of sympathy for the King and wondered how long Jack had been carrying this burden without anyone noticing.
"Is there anything you can do to change it?" Gabriel asked, searching for a solution. "To make it exciting again?"
Jack sighed again, a deep, hollow sound. "I've tried, but every idea feels like a rehash of something I've done before. Halloween Town thrives on tradition, but it's that very tradition that's suffocating me. I've started to wonder if there's anything left for me to do, anything that can make this holiday feel new again."
Gabriel thought for a moment, trying to see the situation from Jack's perspective. He knew how much pressure there was to live up to expectations, to fulfill a role that everyone depended on. It was something Gabriel had felt in his own life, though never to the extent Jack must be feeling.
"What if," Gabriel began slowly, "what if you did something completely unexpected? Something that no one in Halloween Town would ever anticipate?"
Jack turned to look at Gabriel, his eye sockets narrowing in curiosity. "Like what?"
"I don't know yet," Gabriel admitted, "but maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe you're trying too hard to stick to what's been done before. What if you just…let yourself be free to create, without worrying about how it fits into the mold of Halloween? Something that's truly yours, something that rekindles that excitement for you."
Jack considered this, his bony fingers tapping thoughtfully against his chin. The idea seemed to resonate with him, though Gabriel could see the hesitation in his posture.
"It's risky," Jack finally said. "Halloween Town isn't exactly known for embracing change."
"But it's your holiday," Gabriel countered. "If anyone can push the boundaries, it's you. And maybe, just maybe, if you do something that excites you again, it'll remind everyone why Halloween is so special in the first place."
Jack was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant as he mulled over Gabriel's words. Finally, he nodded, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in his movements.
"You might be right, Gabriel," Jack said quietly. "Maybe I've been so focused on meeting everyone's expectations that I've lost sight of why I loved Halloween in the first place. I'll think about it."
Gabriel felt a small sense of relief. He wasn't sure if his words would be enough to pull Jack out of his funk, but at least it had given him something to consider.
Seeing the Pumpkin King so disheartened had been unsettling, but Gabriel knew that if anyone could find a way to bring the magic back to Halloween, it was Jack Skellington.
As they continued to walk through the misty streets, Gabriel felt a renewed sense of purpose. He had his own challenges to face, his own uncertainties to overcome—like what to do about Lenore—but somehow, knowing that even the great Jack Skellington struggled with doubts made Gabriel feel a little less alone.
"Thanks for listening, Gabriel," Jack said after a while, his tone warmer than before. "It's been a long time since I've had someone to talk to about this."
"Anytime, Jack," Gabriel replied with a small smile. "After all, what are friends for?"
Jack's grin returned, more genuine this time, and for a brief moment, Gabriel saw a glimmer of the old Pumpkin King, the one who had always been so full of life and excitement.
Gabriel adjusted his coat against the biting wind and took a deep breath, preparing himself for the inevitable confrontation at home. "I should go," he said, glancing back at Jack. "My father's probably already furious with me, and I'm sure my absence hasn't gone unnoticed."
Jack gave a nod of understanding, his skeletal features softening. "Your father does have a way of keeping tabs on things, doesn't he? It must be difficult, living under such heavy expectations."
Gabriel offered a wry smile. "That's one way to put it. He has this idea of what I'm supposed to be—what a Graveshaw is supposed to be. But I've never quite fit that mold."
Jack's hollow eye sockets seemed to study Gabriel more intently, as if seeing something deeper. "It's not easy being different in a place where everyone expects you to conform. But perhaps that's where your strength lies, Gabriel. You've always been one to question, to seek out the unknown. That's what makes you unique."
Gabriel looked away, the compliment both comforting and bittersweet. "Sometimes I wonder if he'll ever see it that way," he murmured. "But for now, I suppose I should try to keep the peace."
Jack placed a bony hand on Gabriel's shoulder, the touch light but reassuring. "Don't lose sight of who you are, Gabriel. Halloween Town needs more people who aren't afraid to be different. Your father might not understand now, but one day, he'll see the value in what you bring to this town."
Gabriel nodded, feeling a warmth from Jack's words that he hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you, Jack. I'll keep that in mind."
As Gabriel turned to leave, he felt a tug of reluctance. The conversation with Jack had been unexpectedly revealing, and the thought of facing his father's disapproval weighed heavily on him. But he knew he had to go, to step back into the role that was expected of him, at least for a little while longer.
"Goodnight, Jack," Gabriel said, his voice tinged with a mix of resolve and resignation.
"Goodnight, Gabriel," Jack replied, his voice carrying a note of encouragement. "And remember, tomorrow is another night—a night full of possibilities."
Gabriel offered a brave wave to Jack and Zero as he walked away, his mind already turning to what awaited him at home. He could almost see his father now, pacing the grand, shallowed hall of their estate, ready with a lecture about duty and the importance of upholding the Graveshaw name. As Gabriel moved through the mist-laden streets, the fog curling around his feet like ghostly tendrils, he couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his chest.
The conversation with Jack had stirred something within him—a flicker of defiance, a longing to break free of the expectations that bound him. But for tonight, he would face his father.
Lost in thought, Gabriel almost didn't notice the movement in the shadows behind Jack. He squinted, his eyes adjusting to the dim light as he caught sight of a figure trailing after the Pumpkin King. The figure was careful, keeping to the darkest corners, almost blending into the shadows themselves.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, focusing on the creature's silhouette. After a moment, recognition dawned on him. It was Sally, the patchwork ragdoll created by Doctor Finklestein. She was a curious figure in Halloween Town, a strange mix of beauty and melancholy, always quiet and keeping to herself. Gabriel had heard whispers about her, but he'd never paid her much attention until now.
He watched as Sally followed Jack, her steps light and cautious, as if she didn't want to be seen. Gabriel could sense she was merely curious, her eyes fixed on Jack with an almost palpable longing. She seemed so small and delicate compared to Jack's towering form, and Gabriel couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for her.
Suddenly, Sally froze. She had noticed Gabriel watching her, and for a moment, their eyes met. Gabriel saw the fear in her stitched-together expression, the way she seemed ready to bolt at any second. But instead of calling out or confronting her, Gabriel simply offered a small, reassuring wave. He didn't want to scare her off or draw attention to her presence. She seemed to have her own reasons for following Jack, and it wasn't his place to interfere.
Sally blinked in surprise, then hesitantly raised a hand in return. Gabriel gave her a gentle nod before turning back to his path, continuing on his way toward the Graveshaw estate. He could feel Sally's gaze lingering on him for a moment longer before she melted back into the shadows, resuming her quiet pursuit of Jack.
As Gabriel approached the towering gates of his family's estate, he felt a mixture of apprehension and resolve. The weight of his father's expectations loomed over him, but so did the knowledge that there were others in Halloween Town—like Sally, like Lenore—who were just as different as he was. And perhaps, in that difference, there was strength.
With one last deep breath, Gabriel pushed open the heavy iron gates and stepped inside, ready to face whatever awaited him within. But in the back of his mind, he held onto the flicker of hope that tomorrow's Halloween night would bring something new, something unexpected—not just for him, but for Halloween Town as a whole.
The gates of the Graveshaw estate groaned as Gabriel pushed them open, the sound echoing through the fog-shrouded grounds. The towering spires of the manor loomed ahead, their jagged peaks disappearing into the mist that clung to the very stones. Gabriel hesitated at the entrance, knowing full well what awaited him on the other side of the heavy wooden doors. Letting out a deep breath, he stepped forward, bracing himself for the inevitable confrontation he knew awaited him on the other side.
The doors swung open with an eerie creak, revealing the dark, foreboding interior of the manor. Standing in the center of the grand entrance hall was Gregor Graveshaw, his father, and the head of the Graveshaw family—a ghoul whose presence seemed to drain the warmth from the room.
Gregor Graveshaw's tall figure was striking, even in the dim light from the flickering candelabras. His thin, skeletal body was covered in tattered, dark woolen robes that blended with the shadows around him, making him seem like he was part of the manor itself. His father's face was a gruesome sight, with decayed skin stretched tightly over his skull, and his hollow eyes glowed with an eerie, cold light. His skin was a sickly gray-green, spotted with darker patches of decay, and his thin lips were twisted into a permanent snarl, showing sharp, yellowed teeth. His bony, claw-like hands twitched with restless energy, as if standing still was against his nature.
"Where have you been?" Gregor's voice rasped, a dry, gravelly sound that sent a shiver down Gabriel's spine. The ghoul's eyes narrowed as they locked onto his son, scrutinizing every detail of his appearance as if searching for any signs of rebellion or defiance.
Gabriel forced himself to meet his father's gaze, though the sight of those glowing eyes made his blood run cold. "I was out in the town, Father," he replied, doing his best to keep his voice steady. "I needed some air."
"Air?" Gregor's voice dripped with contempt, his words slithering through the air like a venomous whisper. "You were needed at the Town Hall, Gabriel. There's much to be done with Halloween tomorrow night, and you choose to wander the streets like some aimless wraith? This is not the behavior I expect from my son, from a Graveshaw."
Gabriel felt a familiar knot of tension tighten in his chest, the suffocating pressure of his father's expectations pressing down on him. "I'm sorry, Father," he said, his voice tight with restraint. "I didn't mean to be gone so long."
Gregor took a step forward, his movements unnervingly smooth, his skeletal form casting long, twisted shadows across the cold marble floor. "You didn't mean to be gone so long," he repeated, his tone mocking and cold. "Do you think that excuses your negligence? This family has responsibilities, Gabriel—ones you will inherit one day. And yet, you shirk your duties at every turn."
Gabriel clenched his fists at his sides, feeling a surge of frustration rising within him. "I'm not shirking my duties. I was just—"
"Enough!" Gregor's voice cracked like a whip, silencing Gabriel mid-sentence. The ghoul's eyes flared with an eerie light as he loomed over his son, his presence almost suffocating in its intensity. "You're not a child anymore, Gabriel. It's time you started acting like the heir to the Graveshaw legacy instead of some… wandering spirit."
The word "spirit" hung in the air like a curse, laden with all the disdain Gregor felt for Gabriel's tendency to drift away from the path laid out for him.
To Gregor, Gabriel's curiosity, his desire to explore the unknown, was nothing more than a dangerous distraction from the family's legacy.
"I understand my responsibilities, Father," Gabriel said, his voice low but firm, a hint of defiance creeping into his tone. "But I won't apologize for being different."
Gregor's eyes narrowed, his bony fingers curling into fists at his sides. "Different?" he hissed, his voice filled with scorn. "You think being different gives you the right to ignore your duties? To dishonor this family's name?"
Gabriel met his father's gaze head-on, his heart pounding in his chest. "No, Father. But it does give me the right to choose my path within those duties. To find a way to honor the Graveshaw name without losing myself in the process."
The air between them grew heavy, the tension so thick it was almost tangible. For a moment, Gabriel thought he saw a flicker of something—uncertainty, perhaps, or doubt—in Gregor's glowing eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Finally, Gregor stepped back, his expression a mask of cold fury. "We'll discuss this later," he said, his voice a harsh rasp. Gregor's skeletal fingers twitched as if struggling to contain his anger. He fixed Gabriel with a stare that felt like it could pierce through his very soul. "But understand this, Gabriel," he continued, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper, "there will be no more delays. Your responsibilities are not a choice—they are a duty. The Graveshaw legacy is not yours to redefine; it is yours to uphold. That would be the last time you will ever sneak away from another Council meeting."
Gabriel swallowed hard, the weight of his father's words pressing down on him like a physical force. He reached into his coat pocket, his fingers brushing against the carved box. "I…I have the pendant, Father," he said quietly, trying to shift the focus away from their tense exchange. "The one you asked me to get from the witch's shop."
Gregor's eyes flicked to the box in Gabriel's hand, and for a moment, the harshness in his expression softened—only slightly, but it was enough to make Gabriel hesitate before handing it over.
"Good," Gregor murmured, taking the box with surprising gentleness for someone so cold. He opened it slowly as if the contents were something fragile, something precious. The soft light of the flickering candelabras caught the gleam of the pumpkin-shaped pendant nestled inside, its intricate details glinting in the dim light.
Gabriel couldn't help but eye the pendant curiously. There was something almost…familiar about it, something that tugged at the edges of his memory.
"What's it for?" he asked, the question slipping out before he could stop himself.
Gregor lifted the pendant from its box, holding it up so that it swung gently in the air between them. The tiny, carved face of the pumpkin seemed to glow with an inner light, casting faint shadows on the walls. For a long moment, Gregor didn't answer, his gaze fixed on the pendant with an intensity that made Gabriel wonder if his father was lost in some distant memory.
"It used to belong to your mother," Gregor finally said, his voice softer than Gabriel had ever heard it. There was a distant sadness in his tone, a melancholy that Gabriel had never associated with his father. "She wore it every Halloween. It was her hope, her wish…that one day, you would give it to someone you loved."
Gabriel felt his face flush with heat, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. The idea of love, of giving something so personal and meaningful to someone else, was almost too overwhelming to comprehend.
"Father, I—I don't know if I'm ready for that," Gabriel stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. The thought of Lenore briefly crossed his mind, nearly impossible to ignore, but he quickly pushed it aside, too embarrassed to deal with it.
Gregor's eyes snapped back to Gabriel, the softness from a moment ago replaced by a fierce intensity. "You've put off your responsibilities for too long, Gabriel," he said, his voice firm and unyielding. "It's time to consider your future—not just for yourself, but for the legacy of our family. The Graveshaws have endured for centuries because we do not shy away from our duties, no matter how difficult they may be."
Gabriel tried to look away, but his father's gaze held him captive. There was no escaping the weight of his words, no avoiding the expectations that had been placed upon him since birth.
"I'm not asking you to make a decision tonight," Gregor continued, his tone softening slightly, "but understand this, Gabriel: the time will come when you must choose. You cannot drift through life forever, avoiding what is expected of you. The future of our family depends on it."
Gabriel nodded slowly, feeling a heavy lump in his throat. "I understand, Father."
Gregor placed the pendant back into its box, closing the lid with a decisive click. He handed it back to Gabriel, his bony fingers lingering for just a moment on the carved surface. "Keep it safe," he said, his voice a low growl. "And when the time is right, you'll know what to do."
Gabriel took the box, his hands trembling slightly as he felt the full weight of the responsibility that had just been placed upon him. "I will," he promised, though the words felt hollow in his mouth.
Without another word, Gregor turned and walked away, his tattered robes billowing behind him like the shadow of death itself. Gabriel watched him go, the pendant's box feeling impossibly heavy in his hands.
As the echo of his father's footsteps faded into the depths of the manor, Gabriel was left alone in the cold, dark entrance hall. The flickering light of the candelabra cast long, jittery shadows on the walls. His mind raced with thoughts of Lenore, the future, and the impossible expectations that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Tomorrow was Halloween night—the night their town spent 364 days out of the year preparing for.
But tonight, all he could feel was the crushing weight of his expected duty and the fear that he would never live up to the Graveshaw name.
Gabriel began to climb the grand staircase, the box clutched tightly in his hand, its weight a constant reminder of the burdens he carried. Lenore's name floated in the air around him as if carried by the very shadows that filled the manor. There was something about the shy and gentle witch that lingered in his mind, no matter how hard he tried to focus on anything else.
What would Lenore think of the burden he carried? Would she understand, or see him as just another creature of Halloween Town, trapped by tradition and duty? The thought of her seeing him that way sent a pang of unease through him. But tomorrow was Halloween night, a night when anything could happen, as Jack had reminded him. Maybe he'd find the courage to see her again, to invite her to the celebration as Jack had suggested. It was a risk, but the thought of her smile, her quiet strength, made him want to take that chance.
As Gabriel reached the top of the staircase, the darkness ahead seemed less daunting. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope that perhaps he could forge a path of his own. Clutching the box tighter, he stepped into the shadows of his room, holding onto the hope that tomorrow might change everything.
With one last thought of Lenore, Gabriel let the door close softly behind him, and the house fell into silence.