We're Simply Not Meant to Be

"Boys and girls of every age"

Days since disappearance: 5

Zucca was dashing to catch up with Sally, which was difficult when carrying three different types of plants and one sassy Venus Flytrap. Jack had some other business with the mayor, so he was free for the day. His first thought was to offer up some of his service to Sally- which she had gladly agreed to when he caught up with her. Moving to the present, he was helping her with some gardening. Or at least he was; Zucca was practically bowled over just as he caught up with her. By the time he got up, all he saw was a whirlwind of horns, masks and black cloth disappear around the corner. 

"Zucca! Are you and the plants alright?" Sally dashed back to him and helped him up, dusting off some spiders and dust that got on his clothes.

"Yeah, I'm alright. Thanks," Zucca muttered graciously and red-faced as he realized the werewolf was laughing at him. "Who was that? Or whom? I couldn't tell in the whirlwind of chaos."

"Them?" Sally bent down to scoop up the hissing Venus Flytrap "That was Lock, Shock and Barrel. They're currently our best pranksters in Halloween Town." Zucca did a double take at the corner where the trio disappeared and couldn't help but bluster-

"You have kids here?"

"Well, yes. You can't have a town without kids, silly! Besides, you've seen corpse kid and his crew around."

"... Alright, you have a point. But they came in so fast; it was like a giant tumbleweed! Besides, I... don't think I've ever seen them before..." For the first time in a while, Sally looked mildly uncomfortable, despite starting off with a (fake) cheerfulness.

"They are quite a handful aren't they? I've never seen them each on their own- they're quite close. ... But you are right. They don't really come to town that often anymore. They do, don't get me wrong. But they don't stay as long as they used to." Sally paused when she saw Zucca's puzzled expression "They live on the very outskirts of town. I'm not exactly sure why they chose that place but they stay out there for the most part."

Zucca gazed out at the view they had arrived at when walking. Now that he looked at it closer, it wasn't just wasteland and a forest. There was a very tall house near a bend in the river, which looked close to collapsing. It was in poor quality and seemed to be swaying. Sally followed his gaze and frowned. She seemed to shake it off and put on a smile when she turned towards Zucca.

"But don't worry about the three. They've lived here all their lives- they can take care of themselves. Come on, let's get back to the lab-" 

"But why don't they come into town anymore?" 

"..."

"Sally? What happened with Lock, Shock and Barrel?"

"*sigh* We love their antics, don't get me wrong. They make Halloween spectacularly spooky! But we've had some... disagreements with them lately. Most of the time we can dismiss them as just their pranks- they are kids (maybe not so much now) and don't know better. But then we looked back, really looked back, at what they did and Jack decided that enough is enough."

"I still don't get it. What did they do?"

"... I'll have to say that Jack would have to explain it to you. Let's not talk about it anymore. Venus is hungry and I'd like you to help feed him." Sally smiled at him and took his hand to lead him away. Zucca couldn't deny the butterflies in his stomach at the gesture, but he couldn't help but still wonder what happened. It was also no surprise he wondered at the sight of three heads peeping out and looking at him as he moved away from the square.