Sixteen year old Shock sat on the roof of the place she called home and looked over Halloweentown. She and her two other cohorts lived with her there on the outskirts of the town. They used to be under the care of their "boss", so to say, until he died at least eleven years before. Now Shock, whom was the oldest of Barrel and Lock, was left to look over them. It was harder to look after Barrel since he was only thirteen while Lock had just turned sixteen and Shock was soon to turn seventeen in January. She sighed and started pacing lightly on the roof, her purple dress hitting her ankles as she thought. You can come back to Halloweentown, Shock. We can take care of you. That was what Jack Skellington, the king, had told her when Oogie died. Even though Jack and Oogie had hated each other, Jack always watched over the three henchmen. Shock believed him, she just didn't want to share a home with Jack, his wife Sally, and their four or five children. Shock knew one was her age but she knew they wouldn't get along too well. December Skellington (the oldest of the Skellington children) wasn't like Shock. Shock was distant, quite, mysterious, and mischievous. She doubted December would be anything like her.Sally though, goodness she wouldn't mind living in a place where Sally did. Sally was gorgeous and kind and sweet. Shock had had a terrible crush on her since she was only seven years old. Of course, she had somewhat gotten over it. Every now and then, though, she just couldn't help but think of the beautiful woman. She was a wonderful queen and Jack was so lucky to have her. Shock laid down on the roof, stopping her pacing, and slipped her hat over her eyes. She was so confused with her sexuality. She liked a boy but she was crushing on Sally. Bisexuality was driving her crazy. Quickly she sat up as she heard someone come up the stairs to the roof. She prayed it wasn't Barrel coming to ask for something. She really prayed he wasn't coming. But then to her surprise, Lock popped his head out and climbed over to Shock.
"You were pacing?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"What's wrong?" Shock sighed and shook her head. "C'mon now, Shock."
"It's nothing.." She said, lowering her eyes. "Really."
"Please, Shock. I wanna make sure you're ok." He said, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her into a tight embrace. Shock softly hugged back and held back her tears. Lock cocked his head as he heard Shock let out a quite, almost hidden whimper. "Shock.."
"I.. I just.. I'm so confused." She cried. "I just.. I wish Oogie Boogie were still here!"
"I know. You were close to him. You seemed to talk to him more about your problems." Shock hid her face against Lock's shoulder to muffle her crying as she clung to him.
"And I have n-no one to talk to and I--I really need someone right now."
"I.. I could always help you Shock?" Shock looked up at Lock in disbelief. "I'm serious."
"You don't know why I'm down here do you?"
"N-No."
"Well it's time you learn." Shock said, rolling up her sleeves and pushing up a bit to reveal cuts all up and down her wrists and thighs. "I committed suicide, Lock, because I had no one. I messed up and needed someone to talk to but no one was there. When I was sent here, Oogie Boogie always talked to me because he knew what that lonesome feeling was like. To have no one to turn to. We were close, really close. Then you two came along and we couldn't spend much time together because we were even more busy. I didn't mind. It gave me more company in the treehouse but I could always resort to Oogie whenever I needed to. Now he's gone and dead and.." Shock couldn't go on, she was in hysterics. Lock quickly enveloped her in a tight embrace as she cried. She couldn't even hug him back she was crying too much.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, I'm sorry." Shock just shook her head and held onto Lock. She needed someone badly. "Shock... Shhh.. It's ok.. Shhh..." Shock looked up at him and wiped her eyes, managing to speak.
