Jack's Daughter

Trouble

Leo stopped at the front of our house and let me out. "Talk to you later?" He asked me. "Yeah! Sorry again." I said, looking at the wet blanket in the back of the truck.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. And, you don't have to wear makeup around me." He whispered the last part. "Thank you." I said.

He drove off and I walked up to the front steps. Turning the knob, I opened the door and walked inside. There were monsters hanging out, everywhere! Dave walked over to me, I hadn't seen him in a few days. Since Samantha disappeared, he hadn't been doing much, at all. I smiled at him, and he just stared at me, shellshocked. A blank look on his face matched the one in his eyes.

I walked past him, toward the staircase. I felt a bony hand on my collar and turned, my father was behind me. Uh oh. "Spark." He growled. "Yes?" I asked innocently.

He took me roughly by the shoulder and took me upstairs to the study. He slammed the doors, and I knew he was furious. "What were you thinking!? Going out with a human! With no makeup!? You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you have any idea what you just did!?" He screamed, all in a rush.

"I...." I started before he cut me off. "I can't believe you! And when I said no! Samantha needs our help and what do you do? Go on a date!" He roared, stretching his mouth wide. He roared at me like a banshee and his teeth shook.

I shrunk back, tears pouring down my face. I ran over to the big, red chair and hid behind it. There was silence. I sat for a while and peeked out from behind the chair. Jack stood, one hand on the desk and the other on his head, he was facing the doors.

"You can come out now, Spark." Jack said gently. He turned to me and I shrunk behind the chair. "I won't hurt you, my little puzzle." He said. He used to call me that when I was really small.

I stuck my head back out and looked at him. He was on one knee, a hand stretched out toward me. I grabbed it and we both stood up. "I'm very sorry. I shouldn't've done or said any of those things." He admitted. "The human world has already changed you." I said, coldness in my voice. "I was trying to tell you that I did wear makeup, I fell into a fountain." I added. "Oh. What did the human do?" He asked me. "Did he scream in fright?" My father asked with excitement.

"No, he said...I look beautiful." Jack looked at me, an unreadable expression on his face. "He really does care for you, then." I jumped as Sally came into the room. I had not heard her open the door. "Is everything all right?" She asked, looking at me and glaring at Jack. "I...yes?" I asked. She gently crossed her arms and glared at Jack, something that I thought she couldn't do, for she was too kind.

"The whole house shook." She said. "I am awfully sorry Spark. I shouldn't've done that." Jack said, bowing his head, I didn't say anything.

I went to leave but Sally placed her hand on my shoulder. "You fell in a fountain?" She asked me. She worriedly looked over me, almost like she was afraid someone had hurt me.

"Yes, he helped me out and dried me off. I'm okay. He told me..told me I looked beautiful." Sally's eyes lit up when I said that. She gave me a smile. "Mom?" I asked her. She beamed even brighter. "Yes, Spark?" She asked. "Why don't we change when we go through the wardrobe but everyone else does?" She tapped her chin for a moment.

"Because we're different. We've both been created, so there's nothing to change. Also, the Skellingtons have special magic. It's very hard to explain, Spark. I don't quite understand it myself." She admitted.

"Ah, well, I think we've had enough excitement for one day. How about we get ready for bed?" Jack asked me with a smile. "You sound like Dr. Finkelstein." Sally griped back.

Jack had sadness in his eyes. "Sorry, Jack. I didn't mean.." Sally started. "No, it's okay, Sally." Jack said. I just looked back and forth.

"Oh! I suppose I need to tell you." Sally said. I looked at her, confused.