This is something I've made for fun and frankly, mostly for me, but I wanted to post it so that others could enjoy it. It was an idea based on how much I myself want to live in this kind of world, but with more adventure. Kind of like my own sequel I suppose that mixes with the game. I hope you like it! Creative criticism is welcome! This has bits and pieces that were inspired by the video game. *I do NOT own the Nightmare before Christmas, the game, or its characters.*

(Also be warned: abuse and a tiny bit of molestation. When I say TINY I mean REALLY TINY so don't worry too much about it. Just know that is there. I'll put a warning before and after where it will happen so you know. It will only be in this chapter unless something changes.)

Chapter 1: The Doors

"Hey kid! Get your lazy ass out of your room and go pick me up some goddamn dinner!" an angry voice bellowed from the living room. Jumping quickly off her bed, Cassandra slipped on her shoes and her jacket then walked out to the living room. She avoided her father's gaze that she knew was on her as she walked to the front door. She could hear the football game blasting from the T.V and from what it sounded like, the team her father had bet on was losing, which usually meant a bad night. Please don't say anything, please don't say anything.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going huh?!" She froze where she stood with her hand on the door knob. She heard him get off the couch and make his way toward her, a calloused hand grasping her shoulder.

"T-to get dinner? Just like you asked," she replied keeping her eyes on the door. He squeezed her shoulder and leaned forward close enough to already smell the liquor under his breath.

"Did I tell you what I fucking wanted yet?! Did I tell you where to go?" he grumbled angrily. She gulped and shook her head.

"That's right! I didn't! Maybe I should punish you for not tryin' to listen to me…"

"NO NO no!" she screeched desperately recoiling from his touch. "I'll get you what you want! I promise not to do that again!" Her hand tightened around the door knob, tight enough for her fingers to turn white.

"Heh, you better not," he said as he finally let go and turned to go sit back on the couch. "I want you to go to McDonalds and grab me a couple of burgers. Make sure they don't have pickles!"

"Ok dad! I'll be back soon!" she quickly said before speeding out the door and down the road towards the restaurant. An icy wind blew her long black hair into her face and sent goosebumps up her arms. She swiped the strands of hair away from her eyes to see angry black clouds in the distance. They seemed to be coming from the direction of the forest, which was down the way from her apartment complex. The setting sun made them look scary and the distant sound of thunder wasn't helping. She picked up her pace to get the food before the storm could come.

That was a close one Cass, she thought to herself. Let's avoid that next time. Let's try to avoid this storm too. McDonalds again huh? I should have guessed. It seems to be all we eat lately. Maybe it will be all we eat in the next few weeks since it looks like my dad's gonna lose that gambling bet he made on that team. What was he thinking!?

She sighed at her thoughts as she entered the fast food establishment. The smell of greasy fries and fake burgers wafted in the air. There was usually the sound of little kids giggling at their new plastic toys from their happy meals or from playing outside in the playground, but today the place looked deserted. Well except the drive through, of course. Must be the weather that's coming.

She had ordered the food quickly and then sat down at a booth to wait. While staring out of the window, she noticed the sun was almost set beneath the horizon. The world outside kept in twilight until finally it would disappear. She looked down at her hands that were resting on the table and stared at the bracelet around her wrist. Black and orange skull-shaped beads hung from a thin, worn out string. A big silver pumpkin charm in the middle, looked at her with its scary grin and it made her grin right back at it.

Mom. When Cassandra was 8 years old, her mother had passed away due to cancer. She was a lovely lady with so much compassion and humor, and she loved the two of them very much. Her favorite holiday was Halloween and Cassandra loved it just as much. As a gift, she gave Cassandra the bracelet to remember her by, as she had a matching pair. When she died, however, things had changed dramatically.

It has been tough on her little family of two since then. Her father plunged into a depression and drank himself away every night. His anger issues had gotten more and more frequent until he was always angry. He would take out his pain on her and since they didn't have much of a family to begin with, no one knew about the abuse he put her through. Makeup was her best friend when she went out.

She had bruises on her arms and shoulders from all the times he has grabbed her too tightly. A few cuts and busted lips every now and again may appear. At one point when he was really plastered, things got too physical in the way it shouldn't have been, but luckily it didn't go too far. Ever since then, however, she has been too afraid to ever be in the same room as him. Especially now that she was 19 and looks so much like her mother, he seemed to be getting a little too comfortable with her. She had tried the police before a couple years back, but they didn't believe her since she was young and it made her dad really angry. All she could do is go through this alone with all the bravery she had.

Friends were scarce when she was in school. They thought she was too weird, too different to hang around. Sometimes they would pick on her for that. She had graduated high school with no one to celebrate it with, and since her father drank away their money all the time, there wasn't enough to help pay for college. They barely had enough to live in the small apartment they live in now. She would always try to go find a job, but her dad always made sure she didn't go anywhere.

Even though she went through so much suffering, her pure heart never changed. She was always kind to everyone and she never forgot what love felt like even if it had been so long she had felt it. The one thing that comforted her and reminded her of that love when in really tough times, was the thought of her beautiful mother and an old picture of her in that breathtaking witch costume they had both made together for Halloween when she was 5. At her side was Cassie in a small cat costume holding an orange, plastic pumpkin as they both walked hand in hand down the street. This memory always made her smile as it faded away back into her mind. Please come back. I miss you.

She shook herself out of her daze and looked over at the counter where a scrawny teenage boy was placing her bag of food down. He waved her over and she took the food with a quick thank you. She left the restaurant in a hurry, hoping to make it home before the storm and before her dad could get too mad. Luckily she did make it in time. Raindrops were beginning to drizzle down from the sky. She quickly set the food on the table for her father to get and she took a plate of her food back to her room where she could be away from her father.

Just as she was about to take off her shoes, his voice boomed her name from the kitchen. Aw man! What did I do? She hesitantly made her way to the kitchen to find him looking at his burgers in disgust.

"Yes dad?" she squeaked. His beady eyes looked up at her angrily. She could smell the liquor from where she stood now. He was extra drunk tonight.

"What the fuck did I say to you, you little bitch?!"

"A-about what?" He growled as he threw the burger at her, ketchup staining her shirt.

"I fucking said 'Make sure they don't have pickles'! And what the fuck do you think I find?! Huh!?"

"P-p-pickles?" She looked down at her wringing hands in fear.

"That's right! I guess since you don't every fucking listen to me, I'm going to have to punish you!" he said as he began to unbuckle his belt. Her eyes widened as she looked up at him pleadingly.

"NO DAD! I SWEAR I TOLD THEM NO PICKLES! I SWEAR I DID! PLEASE GOD DON'T HURT ME! NOT AGAIN!" she screamed as she ran to her bedroom. She had luckily made it in time to lock the door. He pounded at the door and roared for her to open it. With tears streaming down her face, she backed away from the door with hands over her ears. The thunder boomed outside and the rain was pouring down on the roof and against her window. The wind howled against the trees out her window. Everything was so loud and the fear in her had exploded. She sat on her bed sobbing, praying he would tire himself out like last time.

She looked down at her hands to see the faded bruises of past touches and the bracelet hanging from her wrist. Mom! Help me! She shut her eyes tightly as the door was still being shaken from the other side. Her mother's memory giving her some comfort. What did I do to deserve this?!

What did she do? She couldn't recall ever doing anything bad! Suddenly a memory of a school presentation based on abusive relationships appeared in her head. She remembered the things they said about how the victims feel and why they usually stay. Frankly, she always thought it was her fault for him being this way. That she didn't make him happy enough and that she deserved the punishments. With that thought, her eyes snapped open in realization. It was never her fault! She didn't deserve any of this! She even felt kind of stupid for even thinking those things. Now that she was 19 years old, she can leave and be free!

"I'm leaving," she whispered to herself. She flashes across her room to her closet where she grabbed her old gym bag. The insignia was of an old martial arts class she had taken a long time ago as a kid. That's right! I…I know how to fight back! She had gotten very far in her classes until she had to stop because of her mother's death. She never used any moves because she couldn't hurt the only family she had. Over time she had forgotten a big portion of her moves, but she knows they have been burned into her conscious for times like this. All she was, was a little rusty.

Bouncing around her room, she filled her bag with as many of her things she had. In an old shoebox was a small wad of cash she hid for a possible moment like this since this isn't the only time she thought of running away. She put a few memorable things, like photographs along with a book for entertainment. The last thing she put was the food she hadn't eaten yet. Just as she zipped up her bag, the door burst open, slamming into the wall. Her heart stopped as she turned to see her hot-headed father standing in the door way holding a hammer. He had made a hole in the door to reach the door knob. He let it slip from his fingers, letting it hit the ground with a thud.

He swayed a little before stumbling into her room and reaching his arms out for her. She was backed into the bed, fear creeping into her heart. He ran at her and his hands wrapped around her neck and they squeezed.

"YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME YOU LITTLE WHORE!" he roared in her face. The lack of air made her thoughts foggy as she tried hitting his chest for him to let go. He only squeezed harder and pinned her to the bed. "BUT NOW, NOW YOU'LL LISTEN! YOU ARE NEVER GONNA LEAVE! YOU BELONG TO ME!"

(Trigger alert)

"L-et g-o" she wheezed. She felt one hand let go, but it only travelled down her body. OH GOD NO! IT'S JUST LIKE LAST TIME! He unbuttoned her black jeans and reached his hand in. She felt absolutely disgusted and tried wriggling out of his grip. He chuckled darkly to himself as he watched her wriggle like a worm. When she turned her head, her eyes caught sight of her bag laying on the floor waiting for her. The anger in her flared and she remembered what she needed to do!

(OK you're good.)

"I DON'T BELONG TO YOU!" she growled between clenched teeth.

With free hand, she grabbed one of his fingers from her neck and pulled it back the opposite way then the other fingers were pointed. She stopped when she heard a crack and he pulled his hand away, holding it to his chest while howling in pain. While he was distracted, she scooted back and bent her right foot to her chest.

"I NEVER BELONGED TO YOU!" When he looked her in the eyes, she pushed her foot forward with all her might, kicking him square in the face. He stumbled back and fell to the ground holding his now broken nose. She quickly fixed herself, grabbed her bag and tried to make her way to the door, but her dad was in the way kneeling on floor. He was looking at her with crazy eyes, and veins popping out on his forehead.

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! DO YOU HEAR ME!?" he fumed. Her whole demeanor changed when he looked at her, however. Her eyes were filled with disgust and pity. Her eyebrows scrunched up in anger and her hands were balled in fists. It was obvious she wasn't the scared, frail little girl he once knew anymore.

"I AM OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE MY OWN CHOICES AND I AM DONE WITH PUTTING UP WITH YOUR BULLSHIT! I HAVE LIVED MY MISERABLE LIFE WITH YOU, A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A FATHER AND I AM DONE! DONE! DO YOU HEAR ME!?" she screamed at him. He wobbly stood up and shook his head.

"No…NO!" He wanted the power back. He wanted the power over her back.

She grit her teeth. "I'm sorry dad, but I am leaving! And I AM NOT COMING BACK!" With that said, he tried run at her again she held her stance strongly and pulled back her fist. When he got close enough, she released her hand hitting him right in the jaw with a loud crack. His body turned from the force, and he hit the wall behind him hard where finally, he slid to the floor unconscious. When he was down, she almost woke up from a trance and gasped at the work she did.

"Whoa!" she whispered, amazed for the first time of what she could do. She ran out of the room to the kitchen to grab any food that she could get. With a heavy heart and heavy bag, she ran out of the apartment and out into the storm. Forgetting that it was pouring out, she blindly ran into the dark and into the forest. She knew that if he had stumbled out to find her, that's the place he wouldn't dare to go. He didn't like the forest and he never allowed her to go there.

The wind whipped past her fast and the slanted rain soaked her to the bone. The cold night air made her feel numb as lightening flashed and thunder roared. She ran and ran, deeper and deeper past the trees, with hardly any light guiding her. After running into one, she slipped and scraped her hand on the bark and felt a warmth trickle down her fingers, but she ignored it. Her legs burned and her lungs screamed at her to stop, but she kept on going, not fully sure where, but anywhere other than back there. Finally after 10 minutes of running, the adrenaline had escaped her system and she felt too tired to keep going. She slowed to a stop, gasping for breath then fell to her knees in exhaustion. The crash was setting in and after a moment, she fell forward in to the mud and drifted off into a deep sleep.

Eyes fluttered open when the soft light of morning shined on the forest. From the looks of it, the sun was barely rising. The first thing Cassandra saw was mud and blades of grass. Lifting her head, she wondered where she was and saw only trees. She sat up feeling sore, dirty, and gross. Her clothes were still soaked and covered in mud. Her hair was a mess and she had a dirty cut on her palm. After a minute of total confusion, a tidal wave of memories helped her remember.

She had finally escaped the hell hole she used to call home and now she was deep in the forest trying to get away. She had to start a new life when she would find civilization again, but for now she was going to admire the calm beauty of the forest. She looked in her bag to find her stuff still in good shape and she was about to grab an apple when she something caught her eye.

Looking up, she noticed she was sitting in the middle of a circle of trees, but what was odd was each tree had paintings on them and at the foot of the tree was certain objects. Despite the storm that had happened, they looked untouched. Scanning the trees from left to right, she noticed a certain patterns. It was confirmed when she saw the tree with a Christmas tree painted on it. She stood up, wrapped her bag around her shoulders and stared in amazement.

"They're…representing the holidays!" she exclaimed while wiping the mud off of her as best as she could then zipped her bag back up. A heart represents Valentine's Day, the clover is for St. Patrick's Day, the Easter egg for Easter, more. "But where is Hallo-"she spun around and stared at a tree with a big orange pumpkin painted at head height on it, "-ween". Walking closer to it, she noticed the triangular nose was actually popping out of the tree. It almost looked like…

"A doorknob?" she questioned aloud as she reached out to touch it. As she took a quick step toward it, the mud beneath her feet made her slip forward causing her to collide with the tree with a strange thud. She pulled away after gaining her footing again and raised an eyebrow. Is this thing hallow? She knocked on the wood and heard the echo inside.

"Maybe this is a door," she said once again reaching for the nose. She turned the squeaky knob and after a couple hard tugs, the pumpkin face swung out and opened like a door. She hesitantly peered inside only to see empty darkness and possibly a long way down. What was also weird about this was a breeze coming from the darkness below her and the fact that there was probably a long way down to begin with. Even though this peaked her curiosity, she was a little frightened, so she pulled away from the door, but never closed it. What is down there?

Snap!

She whipped her head and turned to look towards the direction of the sound. Her heart stopping at the thought of her dad somehow finding her. Relief washed over as she realized it was just a nearby dear walking in the distance. As she chuckled to herself, the strange breeze from the tree blew stronger and it seemed to wrap around her. Autumn like leaves swirled in the wind around her. Panic overtook her as it almost seemed to carry her and pull her into the opening. She tried desperately to grab the sides of tree to stop her from going inside but to no avail. The wind was too strong!

"NO!" she grunted. The wind pulled once more, causing her to trip over the bottom of the door and with a scream she fell into the darkness. The door shutting close behind her.