Hannah and Jimmy: Escape from the Frightside (Ch3)

                                “Before he was known as ‘Mr. Skully Pettibones’, his name used to be ‘Mr. Blood “D.” Bones’.” Scary Godmother explained. “Every now and then, he had the craving that could only be satiated by the taste of human bone. One day, he attempted to ambush an unsuspecting civilian in the thick of the fog, but in his case, he could not carry out the dark deed as the fog began to clear. This was back at a time when Frightside and your human world co-existed. However, although he hadn’t gotten the chance to bite into the victim’s bone, he had unknowingly killed him. It didn’t take officials long to match Blood D. to the eyewitness descriptions of the culprit. When he was tried as guilty in a court of law, we were left with no other choice than to banish Blood D. to the closet of Frightside and segregate ourselves from the human world. This was the punishment for breaking the sacred taboo all were to uphold, the act of murder.

                                But that was centuries ago. Over the years, we have rehabilitated Blood D. into a more civil denizen of Frightside, one with a gentle nature who only requires candy as sustenance. This is the ‘Skully Pettibones’ you are all familiar with.”

                                “What he was doesn’t change who he is now, and what he is now is our friend!” Jimmy retorted, his eyes filled with determination. “Why are you telling us this for anyway? We’re here to celebrate!”

    “That’s…the thing, Jimmy.” Scary Godmother broke eye contact with the two guests of honor. “Lately, he’s become unstable again…and well, how do I put this.”

    “Allow me.” Orson stepped forward, his eyes even more hollow than usual. “I’m sorry, Hannah. But we cannot risk losing control over Blood D. again. The repercussions would be far too severe, and our very lives would be in jeopardy.”

    “Orson, this isn’t you! You aren’t suggesting what I think you are…” Hannah fell silent, tremoring with fear as she looked into Orson’s face. She could feel his intentions from a glance alone.

    “Yes, I’m afraid so. In order to satiate his blood lust, we will re-open the seal between your world and our own.”

    “Hold on!” Jimmy asserted. “How is it then that we can freely enter Frightside if it’s been sealed off?”

    Orson continued, “Ah yes. You see, while humans can enter Frightside under certain circumstances, we denizens also face restrictions. Hannah, I’m sure you recall the instance BugaBoo paid you a visit to your house? That’s because BugaBoo’s territory is limited to under the beds of children. As a vampire, I am isolated to coffins and I believe you can fathom how Pettibones got his nickname, “the skeleton in the closet”.

    “Tell me this then, is that what you have my friend’s working on?” Hannah’s tone took on a harsh, more irritated connotation.

    “…Smart girl, Hannah. Nothing gets past you.” Scary Godmother grinned as she met eyes with the two. “There’s a reason I didn’t entrust the two of you with this task. I knew you would have wised up had I assigned you to opening the portal. Your friends on the other hand are blissfully unaware of the seal they are undoing. In case they resist, I have BugaBoo persuaded to put an end to any resistance, but I doubt that will be necessary. It won’t be long before Blood D. Bones will run rampant on the streets and gnaw on the bones of the living. Halloween will be what it was once more, and we will not have to live our lives in fear all too much longer.”

    Sullen and dark, all that could be heard were the hushed whimpers of Hannah and Jimmy, shocked at the revelation of Scary Godmother’s sinister plot. Their friends being strung along, playing their part in ending human existence as they knew it. Halloween…was soon to begin anew once more.