Fayde to Fear: Chapter 9

A month had passed since Fear was banished from Fayde's body. The young boogieman had changed dramatically due to the experience. Her eyes never returned to normal, but she didn't mind. Dr. Finklestein explained to her that it was because some of Fear's power was left behind in her, and that it may allow her to control the shadows more easily.

Kelso and Fayde talked nearly every day and hung out as much as possible. Turns out he had a crush on her since they were both little. By the end of the month, the entire town began calling them a couple. Lily apologized to Fayde and the two became close friends. Shayde's attitude towards the Skellingtons changed for the better, and Jack and Oogie were just as close as they had been back in high school.

Jake and Fayde were rarely seen apart since the incident, laughing and hanging out with their friends. The pair were screams in their choir class, always performing duets. They aced their Mad Science class due to Jake's "grandfather", Dr. Finklestein, always wanting to help. English was a breeze thanks to Fayde's poetic skills, though Jake did help with his vast knowledge of rhymes. Lily and Kelso couldn't deny that the pair fit each other very well, almost as though they were twins. True, Fayde's feelings for Jake had not changed; however, she respected both him and Lily, and kept those feelings to herself. Besides, she was very happy with Kelso.



Jake opened the gate leading out into the pumpkin patch with Lily close behind him. His girlfriend smiled as she slid her paw into his hand, her tail wagging gently.

"It's so nice to have everything back to normal," she said, sighing as she laid her head on his shoulder, "it's nice to see Fayde happy again."

"Kelso had a lot to do with that," Jake nodded, leading her towards the spiral hill, "I never knew he had a crush on her."

"You didn't know she had a crush on you either," the werewolf giggled, "you really are a numbskull."

Laughing, the couple made their way to the top of the hill and sat down beside one another. They watched as the full moon rose higher and higher into the sky, lighting up the night as well as Lily's eyes.

"Lily," she glanced over at Jake, "I just wanted you to know that you mean more to me than anything else in the entire world."

Blushing, she giggled and wrapped her arms around his torso, "Why are you getting so sappy on me all of a sudden?"

"I never told you this," he chuckled, blushing and rubbing the back of his skull nervously, "but during the battle with Fear, when she made my shadow crush me, the only thing I regretted was never telling you that. I honestly thought I'd die, and then you'd never know."

"That's what's awesome about us, Jake," she cooed, kissing his cheek, "we don't need words. We just know."

"Are we interrupting," they glanced down to watch as Fayde pulled herself out of the hill's shadow, pulling Kelso out behind her, "you guys ready for tonight?"

"Heck yeah," Lily howled with excitement, "this Halloween is going to be so terrifying!"

Kelso nodded in agreement, "This is Fayde's first one in the human world. Where are you guys going?"

"We think we'd do better in Texas."

"Texas," the poltergeist chuckled, ruffling the werewolf's hair, "everyone there will think you're just a coyote."

"Very funny," she sneered, readjusting her black locks, "and where are you two going?"

"I figure I'd take Fayde somewhere special for her first Halloween," Kelso replied, draping his arm over his girlfriend's shoulders, "so I'm taking her to Salem."

"Typical poltergeist," Jake chuckled, "going to the ghost hometown."

They laughed then, long and loud. Fayde, however, remained silent. Jake gave her a concerned glance. He knew that look all to well. Fayde had something on her mind, and something told Jake that it was important.

"Can you guys excuse us for a minute," he asked,gently pulling on his friend's arm, "what's up Fayde?"

"It's the shadows," she said softly, "they feel...off."

The eldest Skellington froze as he turned towards her, "Fear?"

He relaxed when Fayde shook her head, "No. Fear is long gone. She won't return in our lifetime, and perhaps not in our children's. Make no mistake, she will come back, but that's not what's wrong with the shadows. There's something...worse."

"Worse than Fear?!"

The boogieman nodded, "The energy is familiar, but at the same time it's not. Does that make any sense?"

Jake remained silent, trying to think of what else could be hiding within the darkness of Halloween Town's shadows.

"I don't think our war with the shadows is over yet, Jake," Fayde continued, "something's coming...soon."

"Hey," they turned around to see Lily waving them over, "you guys coming or not? The mayor is about to open the door to the human world!"

"Look Fayde," Jake placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her a reassuring smile, "when it comes, we'll fight it. We'll have to...to protect the town and the ones we love. When this...thing comes, can I count on you to help me fight it?"

Her eyes flashed with happiness as she nodded, "Of course, Jake. I'll always be by your side, no matter what. After all," she gave him a wink, "you were by my side when I was at my worst. What kind of friend would I be if I wasn't willing to do the same?"

Laughing, the skeleton pulled the boogieman into a hug. Turning, they joined their partners and began to walk towards the town square, Jake and Kelso taunting each other and daring one another to a scaring contest.

As the group disappeared around the corner, the hill's shadow gave a low chuckle. Suddenly, two bright red eyes began to glow within the darkness. Followed by a large, sadistic smile.

                                                                 THE END