An ear-piercing horrific scream woke me up. I sat straight up in a blink of an eye. "It's ok, it's ok. That was just the doorbell," I reassured myself. I put my hand over my heart to see how fast it's beating. "Why did my heart stop beating? Oh right I'm dead! I don't have a heart anymore. Man, it's early!"

I got out of bed and quickly changed my clothes. The pumpkin sun shone brightly through my window. I went downstairs to see who was at the door. "I bet it's Mayor," I thought before reaching the bottom. Sure enough, I was right.

Mayor was talking to Jack; his arms full of plans for next Halloween. The last step creaked when I stepped on it. They both immediately stopped talking and looked at me.

"I was wondering who was at the door," I said, a little sheepish. "You did nothing wrong," Jack said. "We weren't expecting you to wake up this early." "Nothing like a good scare to wake you up," I joked. "Too true," Mayor said. "Well, we must be off. We need to get started on next Halloween." With that he went up the stairs.

Jack sighed. "I'm sorry, Abby. I'm afraid I have to work." "No, it's fine. I get it. I understand the importance of Halloween," I may have interrupted. I'm weird like that sometimes. I could be compassionate and oblivious at the same time. "Thanks for understanding. Sally's in the kitchen cooking breakfast. She should finish soon." He went upstairs. Zero followed.

I stood there thinking about the food. In the food basket Sally gave him in the movie there was a fish skeleton. A fish skeleton! I mean, how is a skeleton supposed to eat another? "Whatever. Get a grip, girl!" I thought. "What's it gonna do? Double kill me? No!"

I went to the kitchen. Sally pulled something out the oven. "Good morning, Sally. Is there anything I can help you with?" Sally turned around. "Good morning, Abby. I'm almost done. Why don't you go get Jack and we can all have breakfast."

"Jack is discussing the plans for next Halloween with Mayor. They seem very busy."

Sally thought for a moment. "You can set up the table while I go get him."

"But isn't Halloween important?"

"Yes. But family is too."

She left and I set up the table. I don't know how it didn't take longer since I don't know where everything is. Sally came back with Jack.

Breakfast was delicious. I tried not to ask what anything was so I wouldn't stop eating it. After breakfast Jack went back to his office and Sally cleaned the dishes from the sink.

It's definitely going to take some time to get used to no technology. I picked up the broom and started sweeping. "You don't have to do that. I'll do it later," Sally said sweetly. "I don't mind," I said. "I like it."

After I finished sweeping I made my bed. "What can I do now?" I thought aloud. "Maybe explore the house a little." That's what I did. I kept track of what I passed so I can find my way back. I came across a narrow spiral staircase. "I wonder if this goes to Jack's office?"

I followed the staircase. It's cold, creepy, and kind of dark. I feel a little uneasy. "What's my problem?" I quietly scolded, almost in a whisper. "I'm supposed to be scary, not get scared! This is perfectly fine. There's nothing dangerous. I'd better get used to this kind of stuff because there's no shortage of it in town."

I heard their voices echo which means that I'm close enough to listen and not get caught. I sat on the stairs.

"How about this one?" Mayor asked. "We already did that one last year and the year before that," Jack said. "Because it's the scariest," Mayor declared. "That's true, but scares tend to fade when done repeatedly," Jack explained. There was a silence. I'm assuming Mayor is thinking. "I suppose," he finally said. "I was thinking," Jack continued. "Perhaps we all could come up with new scares. Halloween should be more chilling, more horrifying. Everyone should be inspired to create new, bone-chilling scares."

I shook my head a bit with a smile. "Should have seen that coming," I thought. "He does have a point, though. But why did he never scare me before? He scared just about everyone on my street."

"Abby," a soft voice said. It's Sally. I quickly turned around and stood up. "I was exploring the house," I softly explained. "Then I found this staircase. I was wondering how Jack organizes Halloween every year, so I listened."

Sally gave me a sweet smile. "It's ok. I just didn't know where you were. The first time I explored this place, I got a little lost. I wandered around for what seemed like hours, until Jack found me. It turned out that I was only gone for 20 minutes." I couldn't help but to smile.

"Why don't you go outside."

I looked out the window. I saw the kids playing. It would be nice to have some friends. I agreed and went.

I closed the squeaky front gate behind me. Mummy Boy ran up to me. "Abby, we're playing Hide-and-Shriek do you want to play?"

"Yes! Who is 'it'?"

"Corpse Kid."

We went to the group. "Abby is playing with us," Mummy Boy said. "I'm counting to 25. Nothing is off limits; you can hide anywhere," Corpse Kid explained. "1… 2…"

Everyone ran off in different directions. I couldn't think of anywhere to hide. Then it hit me: a tombstone. I ran for the Graveyard. I hid behind the same tombstone that Sally did in the movie.

A while later, and I mean A WHILE later, they finally found me. They failed to mention that the 'shriek' part of the name comes from the person hiding getting scared.

I fell backwards on the ground shrieking. It sounds weird almost like a banshee, or at least that's what I'm assuming that's how a banshee sounds. The kids laughed at my reaction. I laughed with them. It's kind of fun getting scared. When I was alive it was almost impossible to scare me.

"What took you so long?"

"We couldn't find you! How are you so horrible?" Corpse Kid asked. I shrugged.

Note to self: start using Halloween Town vocabulary.

"Winged Demon, you're next because Corpse Kid found you first," Mummy Boy said.

They changed the limits to inside the town only. Winged Demon started counting. I hid in an empty dumpster. I was the last to be found again. This time I didn't really get that scared.

Mummy Boy counted. I ran through the streets trying to find a hiding place. I'm running out of time. I looked up. The roof; that should be a good spot! I am so glad I paid attention to how Jack climbed up to get to the roof of one of the buildings in Christmas Town.

"I found you!"

I looked down. All three children were at the alley below looking at me. I climbed down.

"I'll be 'it' this time," I said. "If that's ok with all of you." They seemed glad that I said that. I closed my eyes. "1… 2…" I listened to what direction they ran in. That makes it easier to find them.

I found Corpse Kid under a cardboard box, Mummy Boy in between the guillotine and the wall, and Winged Demon underneath a front porch. I was excused from the scarring part, because I still don't know any. I tried my best anyway. It went… well, kind of badly. I surprised them more than I scared them.

After a few more rounds we got tired of it. "What do you guys want to play?" Mummy Boy asked. There was a silence. "Ring around the rosie?" Winged Demon suggested. Corpse Kid and Mummy Boy groaned. Finally, a normal game! Sure I haven't played that in 10 years but still. The silence continued.

"Fine."

We held hands. "Ring around the rosie. Pockets full of posies. Ashes, ashes, then all fall down!" I didn't even think about that part, but too late I was already pulled to the concrete ground. I stood up. I'm surprised that I don't feel any pain.

"Did you know that the song is about everyone dying during the Black Plague?" Corpse Kid asked. I did not need to know that.

"Am I interrupting something?" A familiar voice asked. We looked up at Jack. "No, sir," I replied. "I'm terribly sorry, but Abby needs to come with me for a little while," Jack told the kids. I looked back at the group then we walked off. Zero followed closely.

"Am I in trouble for something?" I nervously asked.

"Not at all! I want you to meet Dr. Finkelstein."

We walked over the bridge to Dr. Finkelstein's house. "Sally tells me that you admire my work," Jack said with a smile. I nervously smiled back, remembering how I eavesdropped on his meeting.

"Halloween is always so horrible! I love it!" I said. "But why did you never scare me?" Jack rang the doorbell. "You remember your past life?" He said it more of a statement than a question. "The door is open," Dr. Finkelstein called.

We went inside. "Jack Skellington!" Dr. Finkelstein exclaimed while coming up to us. "How are you and Sally doing?" "We're doing well," Jack replied. "And you?" "I'm doing well myself," the Doctor said. He looked at me. "Who are you?"

"Abby."

I can tell that he's thinking about something. "Dr. Finkelstein, is it normal for one to remember their past life?" I asked, after a few minutes of silence. I know that's a dumb question considering that I'm a huge fan, and I kind of know the answer. But I have to know why I remember.

"I suppose that one could remember a very small portion of their past life," he answered. "Do you remember?" I almost don't want to answer that, but I brought myself to it. "Yes, sir. I remember all of it."

There's another silence. "Jack, could I perhaps take Abby to the lab?" Dr. Finkelstein asked somewhat quietly.

Jack and Zero went into the lab with us. I noticed a stack of paper on the table. It looks like notes for a new invention. There's a little sketch with labels along the bottom of it.

I did whatever Dr. Finkelstein told me to. He asked me questions like how old I was, when was my birthday, and where did I live. I responded with direct answers. 14, November 5, and 13 Willow Tree CT.

"Perhaps your memory is connected to your death. How you died affected your memory, and as a result you remember your past life," the Doctor concluded. "How did you die?" I looked at Jack. I don't know if I should tell him. "Isn't that personal?" I finally said.

Jack came over to me. "I'll tell him. You should wait in the hallway." I was suspicious, but I did what I was told.

I shut the door behind me. "Why did he shut me out of the room like that?" I thought. "I probably shouldn't, but I'm gonna eavesdrop again. First, I need to find a place where it doesn't seem like I'm eavesdropping." I don't know where I'm getting all this information from. I'm just making this up as I go along.

I looked at Sally's old bedroom down the hall. The door is open; perfect! I listened to their conversation. Their voices were sort-of muffled.

"You did what?!" Dr. Finkelstein exclaimed. "I know, but she was going to die. I couldn't bear to watch her go through that. I know she's her," Jack said. The Doctor sighed. "I understand. She did pass the test. There is a high possibility."

I was stunned. What are they saying? I can't ask just yet. I heard Jack coming closer. I think he said something else, but I was too busy running into Sally's room.

I looked out the window. The town is so beautiful! I glanced at the front yard, then looked back. Weird, I could have sworn that I saw Shock's hat.

"What do you see?" Jack asked, almost next to me. My skull spun around 180 degrees. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to startle you." "It's fine. How do you do that? Scare everyone so easily?" I eagerly asked. "It has always been a natural talent of mine," Jack proudly replied. "I'm impressed with how well you're adjusting." Honestly, there's nothing really to adjust to. Well, that is if you watched the movie a thousand times.

"Everyone is always so nice and thoughtful. I love it here!" I exclaimed. "How does Halloween work? Does everyone follow the plans or do their own scares? I want to be prepared for next Halloween!"

"I must say that I've never met anyone who is more committed to our holiday."

"But you and Mayor start working on it on November first."

"Yes, but not when we first died. And about Halloween, all of the scares are documented. Those documents are the Halloween Plans. Mayor and I choose plans or the town creates new scares to make Halloween truly horrifying!"

I smiled. "I wish I could be just as terrifying as you. But what if I can't scare anyone? What if I can remember my past life instead of having scaring talents?"

Jack put his hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "Abby, you are terrifying. I know it." There was a short pause before he said, "I've never seen anyone win their first scaring contest like you did." I smiled at the memory. Then I remembered how I accidentally scared all those kids last night.

"Um, Jack did you happen to see a group of kids running away screaming from that house where we met?"

He thought for a moment. "Yes, I believe I did. Did you do that?"

"Yes. I wanted to send a chill down their spines. I didn't mean to scare them off like that!"

The lyrics, "I'll scare you right out of your pants" and "I excel without ever even trying" played in my mind. I was amazed. I definitely scared them that much and I did it without even trying. Maybe I can do this scaring thing after all.

Dr. Finkelstein entered the room. "Indeed, you'll do a marvelous job. Perhaps one day you'll become the master of fright yourself."

"Am I really that scary? I can't even make a lamp flicker."

"I'd be delighted to train you," Jack said.

"You don't have to do that just for me. I don't want to add on to your to do list."

"Nonsense! It's settled. Tomorrow we'll start your first lesson. I'll teach you everything I know."

Dr. Finkelstein laughed. "Don't work her to her soul, Jack! She'll become the master of fright before we know it!" I smiled. "If that happens I'll stay away from Kentucky, England, and France just for you."

We all laughed at my comment. Zero barked. I can't tell if he was barking at something outside or for another reason. But whatever it was Jack said, "I have a meeting in half an hour. Thanks for the reminder, Zero." He pet his beloved dog in gratitude. He began walking out of the room. He turned around when I asked both of them, "Could I perhaps stay here a little longer?"

"Whatever for?" Dr. Finkelstein asked.

"Only with your permission of course. I would like to assist you with your new invention. It looks amazing." I would also like to get to know him better. I think working on the invention together would be a great way to start.

"It will be. How much lab experience did you have?

"I was always top of my classes. We did a few labs, but it was never anything cool like mixing chemicals in chemistry. We had to wait until high school for that." I looked at the floor holding back tears. I didn't really get to live. But a new life here, right?

He gave me a sympathetic look. "You don't have to wait any longer. Come on into the lab and we'll start right away." I looked at him. I'm surprised that he's letting me, someone he just met today, work on his invention. Yes, I asked him, but I didn't think he would actually let me. "Th-thank you," I managed to say.

I was about to ask Jack for his permission, because he is the one who brought me here, but he beat me to it. "Thank you, Doctor. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Nonsense. Now, hurry along. You'll be late."

Jack, who clearly wanted to stay here but didn't want to be late for his meeting, left. We went into the Doctor's lab. Shortly after Igor came in. "Master, the plans," he said before setting them on the table. "Excellent, Igor," the Doctor said. He threw him a bone biscuit. "Now, Igor don't be rude."

Igor finished his biscuit. "Igor sorry." He turned towards me. "Hello. What is your name?"

"Abby."

"Let's get started shall we then?" Dr. Finkelstein asked. I looked at the plans. "What does it do?" "You'll have to wait and see! If I told you that would ruin the surprise!" He said it in a way that makes me feel scared and safe at the same time. I just went with it. But why won't he tell me what it does? Oh, well. I'm sure he has his reasons.

I brought back the tool that Dr. Finkelstein asked from the other side of the lab. "Is Master replacing Igor?" Igor asked. "No, of course not!" I said. "He would never replace you."

"But you are assisting Master with his invention. That is Igor's job."

"You're the best assistant he's ever had. He needs you."

"You are just saying that to make Igor feel better."

"No I'm not."

Igor had a huge grin on his face. "What can Igor do for Master?" Dr. Finkelstein looked at me with excitement.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what? I didn't realize I was looking at you a curtain way," he said somewhat quickly and defensively. Almost as if he's trying to hide something.

We got back to work. Somehow we started talking about school. "Math and science always came naturally to me. I could solve a difficult equation easily. But I was never challenged. Until now."

"It's a joy to have an intellectual equal around."

"What do you mean? You're more intelligent than I am. I couldn't think of creating inventions such as these or making creations."

"Never doubt your abilities until you push your limits! And when you do push your limits keep going."

We made some progress until the doorbell rang. It bounced around a lot. Even though we're on the 2nd floor, it sounds like we're standing right next to it.

"The door is open!"

Dr. Finkelstein and I went to the hallway. Sally opened the door. I ran down the ramp. Dr. Finkelstein followed as fast as he could. I don't know why I'm acting like I haven't seen her in a week.

"You're quite energetic aren't you," Dr. Finkelstein said after catching up. Well, sometimes. I smiled a cute smile, although it's probably scary. But if it's scary, great!

"Jack said that his meeting is almost over. He would get here in a few minutes. What have you two been working on?"

"Dr. Finkelstein's new invention."

"What does it do?"

"I don't know. He said if he told me 'that would ruin the surprise.'"

Sally looked at me then Dr. Finkelstein confused. "But I'm sure he has his reasons," I defended. If Dr. Finkelstein wants to keep it a secret, I can respect that. But maybe I should change the subject so we can move on. "Jack lets you interrupt his meetings?" I curiously asked. "Mom wouldn't let us be in the same room if she had one from home."

She looked at me with even more confusion and possibly a mix of a different emotion. I didn't realize it would come out offensive. I struggled to make eye contact.

"You said that 'Jack said that his meeting is almost over. He would get here in a few minutes.' Therefore you were speaking to him while the meeting was in session," I said as soft and sheepish as ever. Then I begged, "Please forgive me! I didn't mean to offend you! I would never intentionally do that! Sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me. I feel so ashamed of myself."

"Don't feel ashamed. You didn't offend me. It's just if there is something important, then Jack needs to tell me. But how do you- I mean it's fine, it's just…"

Then it clicked. "I can remember my past life. Dr. Finkelstein said that it has to do with how I died."

Jack came in. "I'm sorry that I'm late. The meeting ran a little over time." The room was silent again. Sally looked at Jack as if she's trying to say, "Is there anything that you'd like to tell me?" I got in front of them and said, "Look, I can remember my past life. What's the big deal?"

They broke it up. "Nothing," Sally said. "You are welcome here any time, Abby," Dr. Finkelstein said. I tried my best to cover up my excitement. "Thank you!" I said as normal as I could.

Apparently I didn't do a good job of that, because he laughed. It wasn't in a mean way. I think it's the fact that I tried to conceal it.

As we made our way to the bridge, I looked for any sign of Lock, Shock, and Barrel. I didn't see anything. "What are you looking for?" Jack asked. "Nothing," I replied. I probably shouldn't tell him about how I possibly saw Shock's hat earlier. It could have been nothing more than an optical illusion.

Corpse Kid, Mummy Boy, and Winged Demon all went to their homes a couple of hours ago. How long have I been working on Dr. Finkelstein's invention?

For the remainder of the day I helped Sally with household chores and Jack taught me a few minor scaring techniques. I did very well.

After we turned off the lights for the night I turned on the lamp and got out of bed once again. I want to practice some more. I made more scary faces; scarier than last night. I smiled with satisfaction.

I flashed my teeth just to see what that would do. "Woa," I quietly said. "So that's how I make it look like fangs."

I crouched down then sprang back up like a surprise scare. I flashed my teeth with a low growl and had my fingers curled like claws while I did it. There's a miniature fireball in both of my eye sockets. This I wasn't expecting.

I stumbled backwards, but ended up hitting the floor… hard. I quickly got up and looked at my reflection; not even thinking about the possible pain. The fireballs are gone. "What the?" I mused. "Ow!" I rubbed the now sore part of my upper back where it hit the hardest.

It seems like the room suddenly became brighter. It hurts my eyes. "I wish that stupid lamp would just turn off!" I whispered it, but I don't know why I'm getting so angry. As soon as I said that it did so.

I stood there in the pitch darkness shocked, confused, and amazed. Did I just do that? The window is closed. There's no way the flame could have gone out on its own. "I wish that stupid lamp would just turn back on?" I whispered questionly and unsure. I don't fully understand what I did. That did nothing.

I climbed back in bed. That's where I'm supposed to be anyway. It's better than trying to figure out what just happened. I hope it doesn't get out of control.


Author's Note:

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please review. I want to know how I'm doing. I can't fix or improve anything if I don't know. I apologize in advance. There isn't going to be new chapters weekly anymore. I already had chapters 2 and 3 completed or almost complete when I posted the first. It's going to be a while. I do not own Nightmare Before Christmas.