The leaders all roused themselves by mid-morning and found Jack working on his maps. They stared blankly around, unable to think clearly.

"You should sit," Jack said as he drew. "I'll have Candy bring your breakfast trays."

They sat, but when they received their breakfast, they didn't eat. Oogie and the children came in awhile later, and they made short work of their breakfasts before Lock, Shock, and Barrel settled in front of the fire to play a game of marbles. Sally came in last, just in time for a bowl of fresh stew for lunch. She ate, but the other leaders only played with their food.

"Not eating isn't good for you," Jack said when he reached a stopping point. "Please try. It won't change the night terrors, but it will make the next few days more bearable."

He retrieved a bowl of stew and ate while standing to relieve his hip bones from the pressure of sitting. Sally set aside her spoon after half her food was gone.

"Jack?"

"Yes?" he asked, turning to peer at her.

"I don't think I understood how truly awful night terrors are. I've been a bit insensitive to Father when it comes down to it."

"It's something hard to understand unless you experience it," Jack assured her. "And you're far more sensitive than you realize. You never pushed for more information when I didn't want to share. That's a good indication that you understood as best you could."

"How could he do that to you?" Sally asked tightly.

"Easily," Jack replied. "I still had flesh. Flesh is delicate."

They all stared at him uneasily. How could he say something like that so glibly?

"Can we talk about something else, please?" Sandy said.

"Like what?" Oogie asked.

"How about you?"

"Me?" Oogie asked, looking amused. "Boring topic, Mr. Claws."

"On the contrary. I've got a few questions for you."

"About what?"

"About that first Christmas."

Oogie raised his brow. "What about it, Sandy?"

"Why would you kidnap me?"

Oogie smirked. "Oh, you're not going to like the answer."

"Try me," Sandy challenged.

"I was bored and curious."

Sandy blinked for a moment, puzzled. "I'm sorry. You decided to tie me up, sing a stupid song, and gamble with my life… because you were bored?"

"Pretty much," Oogie said. "I told you before I could feel your magic. I never considered that you wouldn't know much about it."

Sandy scrubbed his eyes and huffed. "Why should I?"

"Knowledge is power, Sandy," Oogie said.

"But did you have to sing?"

"You didn't like my song?" Oogie asked.

"I was ripped out of my Holiday, transported in a bag to Halloween Town, which I didn't even know existed, was told by a walking skeleton—"

"Bone man," Jack corrected, amused.

"Whatever," Sandy snapped. "I was told by a bone man that I no longer had to worry about my Holiday and then those three troublemakers take me to your house and stuff me down a chute!"

Oogie laughed. "Speaking of which, Nicky boy, I had to replace the whole thing! You burst the bolts! I thought going down chimneys was your thing."

"I didn't want to go down the chute!" Sandy exclaimed.

"Eh, you made it down," Oogie said. "I could've gotten you out anyway."

"That's not the point," Sandy growled.

"Wait, so this is what happened that first Christmas?" Bunny asked, cleaning his ears.

"He ain't told ya?" Oogie asked. "Well, well, well, what have we here? Sandy Claws, huh?" he crooned.

Sandy blanched. "Stop that!"

Oogie chuckled. "Ooh, I'm really scared," he teased.

Sandy huffed and stroked his beard, hesitating a moment. "So… when you were going to kill me and Sally…?"

Oogie tilted his head. "Rag doll can be sewn back together. I knew that. She was made in a similar way as me." He turned and eyed Sally. "You shouldn't play tricks, you know."

Sally smiled a little. "I had to free Sandy Claws. I didn't know he couldn't die, but I knew that I couldn't. Giving up my form to save Sandy was an easy decision. Father would have stitched me back together in a few days."

Oogie nodded. "Suppose I should apologize for that first Christmas, Sandy. I was just having fun."

"It was terrifying!" Sandy exclaimed.

"Exactly. A little fun," Jack said. He eyed the maps again then sighed and went back over to sit down.

"Yeah? Well pardon me if I don't like your fun. Especially with that horrible, crazy laugh," Sandy said acidly.

"Laugh?" Oogie asked.

"At the end of your song."

Oogie laughed again, this one far less maniacal. "I was having fun. I am the Bogeyman, Sandy. My entire purpose is to scare people." He paused and sobered up. "But I am sorry. I thought we could laugh about it later. But Jackie had something to say about it and I ended up dispersed for almost a year."

"Dispersed?"

"I don't remember much. But I feel like I'm everywhere and nowhere without a body and bugs. It's not pleasant. Part of the reason I lashed out so hard when the kids stitched me back up."

"I'm still sorry about that," Jack said, picking up his quill and peering at the papers in front of him.

"I know, Jackie," Oogie sighed. "And I suppose I'm sorry for my little trick, Sandy. I've already talked to Sally about it."

Sandy glared at Oogie for a moment before relaxing. "I suppose you did finally come to your senses."

Oogie grinned. "Even if you do hate the song, you still joined in."

Sandy flushed but shrugged. "When in Rome."

Sally had been very quiet the whole conversation, and Oogie noticed. "What's wrong, rag doll? The night terrors?"

"Yes," she sighed.

"Helluva nightmare, ain't it?" he asked sympathetically.

Sally swiped at her eyes. "How are you okay?"

"It's a natural part of Jack's life. Or death, as it were. And we created the dreamweaver spells so I could understand better." Oogie glanced at Jack. "But I've seen worse ones."

"Worse than being set on fire?" Squanto asked tightly.

"Or nearly drowned?" Psyche muttered, taking a deep breath. The second night terror had been of Bodach having 'fun' with Jack in a pond. That 'fun' had involved seeing how long it took before Jack passed out underwater.

"Yes," Oogie said matter-of-factly.

The leaders all slumped. "What could possibly be worse?"

"It involves knives," Oogie said.

They all looked sick. "Why would he do that?"

"To see what would happen," Jack replied, his tone casual.

Sally couldn't take it and began to cry. Jack looked up and jumped to his feet. "Oh Sally," he murmured. "What's the matter, my raven?"

"How are you doing it, Jack?" she asked brokenly. "I'm so tired but I'm terrified to sleep. And you and the children and Oogie all seem just fine."

"It's been a part of their lives, or deaths if you please, since they woke up in Halloween Town," Oogie said sympathetically as Jack held Sally to his chest and stroked her hair. "Except for you and me, rag doll, every single citizen of Halloween Town suffers with night terrors. They're used to them, and recovery is faster the longer you've existed."

"Then why are you okay?" Sally asked.

Oogie shrugged. "I've seen them all, rag doll. They used to bother me, but after so many centuries, they've become less painful for me."

"For you," Jack mumbled.

"I'd take them away if I could, Jackie," Oogie said.

"I know, Crawly. I know."

Jack gave Sally a kiss then stood up and went back to the maps. The only sound for a while was the scratch of Jack's quill as he resumed drawing and the crackle of the fire in the fireplace.

Sandy broke the silence. "Is there really no way for us to break the spell?"

"No," Jack said.

"I can't stand another night like that!" Squanto exclaimed, shuddering. Pocahontas leaned into him and they held each other.

"Too bad because there's two," Jack said.

"Where is your compassion, man?" Sam demanded.

"My compassion?" Jack looked up. "My compassion is more with my own people, who regularly experience these sorts of memories, not with you, who will only experience two more nights of them." He set the quill down and gazed seriously at them. "You will be no worse off for having experienced them. In fact, it might help you to understand my citizens' experiences better."

"But they're horrible!" Sam argued.

"I know," Jack said coldly. "I lived them the first time around. And I regularly relive them now. I will continue to have them long after you stop. Forgive me for my lack of sympathy."

They looked properly abashed as Jack gazed at them with pitiless eyeholes. He had a point. The night terrors were only for three brief nights in their lives, while for Jack, it had been thousands of years.

"Sorry, Jack," Eros muttered, running his fingers through his hair.

Jack softened a bit. "I know it's unpleasant. But it will all be over soon. The sooner you realize you can't escape, the easier it will be to weather the next couple nights. May we give some recommendations?"

"Sure," Patrick said.

"Barrel?"

Barrel sat up on the hearth rug. "Yes, Jack?" he asked politely as Lock and Shock scowled.

"What do you do when you have night terrors?"

Barrel smiled. "Oogie always makes us our favorite foods."

"I can't cook today," Carol sighed, rubbing her eyes.

"Would your elves be able to?" Jack asked.

Carol hesitated then looked at Candy, who was carrying in more wood. "Candy?"

"It would be our pleasure, ma'am," she said, stacking the logs in the rack. "You always insist, so we don't argue, but you needn't cook every meal for yourself and your friends. You work harder than any of us and you deserve a break."

Carol relaxed. "What do we want?"

There was a pause then Lock sat up. "I liked those cookies."

"Cookies ain't food," Oogie said. "Try again."

Lock scowled, and Candy smiled. "I'll make cookies as a treat," she promised.

Lock was mollified, and he nodded. Barrel tapped his chin. "I'd love some snake and spider stew," he said to Oogie.

Oogie chuckled. "Ain't my kitchen, and it's human food, Barrel. Besides, that takes hours to cook. Maybe when we get back home."

Barrel nodded. "Then I think chicken would be nice." He paused and turned to Lock. "Didn't your mother make good chicken?"

Lock was so startled by the question that he snapped his pencil in half. "Uh… Mother?" he stammered. "Well… Wow, you remember having chicken with my parents?"

Barrel winced. "That was the day your father found out about Shock."

Shock squeaked, and she abruptly stood up and walked over to Oogie, her expression tight. Oogie wrapped an arm around her and spoke firmly.

"That's enough, Barrel. We can have chicken, but you need to stop talking about life."

Barrel nodded. "Sorry, Boss. Sorry, guys."

Lock and Shock gazed at their friend with hooded eyes and said nothing. Jack took the attention off of them by addressing Candy.

"Chicken would be nice. Surprise us with the rest, please."

Candy looked to Carol for approval before she curtsied and walked into the kitchen. Jack picked up his quill again and looked around.

"It will not be easy, but the next couple nights should pass soon enough. I'll finish the maps, and all of you can rest during the day."

"That sounds agreeable enough," Squanto said. "And Jack? Forgive us for complaining. I once watched a man burn to death, and I suppose I have been afraid of experiencing that. And now I have, in a way, and it was worse than I thought."

Jack raised his hand and a ball of blue flame appeared in his palm. "I agree. And if you need to talk about the night terrors, I will make time to listen."

"Thank you, Jack," they murmured.

"Happy to help," Jack said.

He looked down and studied the map before he continued to draw. The cottage was quiet, with nothing to be heard besides the crackle of the fire in the fireplace and Jack's quill scratching on paper. The atmosphere would have been peaceful except for the dread of sleep that loomed over them like a shadow. They knew Jack was right, but that didn't make it easy. Still, he knew best, so they settled in and waited for food.