The nightmare after Christmas (Jack x reader)

14. Time is running out

It was good to be back.

The minute I arrived at my home, my mom ran over to give me a big hug "Where were you?!"

"Well I was..."

"You should have been back an hour ago!"

"An hour?" I asked confused. Was I really gone an hour? It felt a lot longer than that, I even spend the night there. All I could do now was to apologize for my delay and got back into my room. Mom and dad are more laid back than I expected, as they didn't mention it again. As for the bullies, I might not see them for a while...at least I hope so.

At the same time in Halloween Town, the situation got worse.

"Sorry Jack, we looked everywhere...she is gone" the major touched the skeleton's shoulder before informing everyone else. Jack was far from giving up. He wanted to find her, he has to.

"Zero, where are you boy?!"

The ghost dog barked at his owner.

Jack gave him something from me to sniff on "You have to find her Zero, we really need her here."

I need her, thought Jack. He didn't want to admit it, but his little house doll means a lot to him.

After all, the new leader will be decided tonight.

Back at home, I was stuffing myself with everything the fridge could give me...and this in the middle of the night. Thankfully my parents were asleep; otherwise they would be worried about me. But who can blame it? I hardly ate anything in Halloween Town, I was vanished. Back in bed, I could finally sleep peaceful, without a dog or a skeleton waking you uncomfortable. In the morning, everything was back to normal. Mom and dad are ready to go to work, while I could enjoy my cereals.

But, something was missing.

I reached out for my book and turned to the last page. 'Pumpkin king' was written above it. I sighted loud, I hate to admit it, but I kind of miss this psycho of a skeleton. Before getting an image of him in my mind, I slammed the book shut and placed the bowl into the sink. Halloween Town is history, no need to look back at the past. I grabbed my coat and hat, taking a walk...It doesn't matter where...just out if the house.

In Halloween Town, Zero led Jack to the trees.

Jack recognized a very familiar door "Christmas Town! I was here before. Zero which door did she use?" The king was sure, he finally found me... unfortunately his dog could only shake his head no. "What do you mean you can't find her? Try again boy!" Zero gave him the same reply.

Behind a few trees, where the trick-or-treat kids have placed my scent all around the place, irritating the ghost dog. If it wasn't for their creepy giggles, Jack wouldn't have found him. He was angry "What do we have here? Oogie's minions. Where is N/A?!" The kids refused to tell him, till Jack made a scary face of his own, frightening them to their bones. The little devil broke the silence "She went back home!"

"Home? She lives here" said Jack, not sure of what the boy is on about. The skeleton froze, as they mentioned my name and the witch from the event at the same time. He didn't know anymore what to think "So what is she then? A witch? A doll? What else can she be?"

"I don't know, try human" said the skeleton, receiving a slap from the other kids. He wasn't allowed to tell, however, to Jack it was worse than any nightmares he ever dreamed. His eyes looked over to the tree with a pumpkin on...next to it, leaned an ax "What where you up to?!"

Lock, Shock and Barrel refused to tell him, until another frightening face of Jack's has loosened their tongues.

"We were ordered to destroy the tree, so she couldn't come back here anymore."

Jack was concerned. He went over to the tree and opened it. It was dark inside, but no strudel or a breeze came over to the skeleton, even as he jumped in, the tree didn't get him anywhere. The portal to the human world was broken.

He couldn't get me back.

From the distance he could see the sun setting. In a few hours will the major announce a new leader of Halloween Town. Jack had no chance, but to drag himself to the main hall to see it with his own eyes, followed by the children and Zero.