Something I wrote up for a friend's contest over on dA. Thought I'd share it with you guys, since le gasp I wrote something other than AIPC using copyright characters! Like, no way! Nahh, nahh, I'm still not huge on fanficition, I just thought this a very successful piece of writing and thought I'd further share it. Sorry it's so short, it's about 626 words. > ; Enjoy!
Jack Skellington looked wearily about his surroundings, the chill in the air seemingly adding to the mist of the cemetery. Looking back down at the plot of hollowed land before him he blinked out a tear which froze on his cheek. He knew he had to go home, but really… home to what?
Carefully setting down his deadly night shade on the grave Jack finally mustered up the courage to turn away and make his way back through the gloom to the gloom. He strode towards the gate of the cemetery with a deadening gait. With one more look back he relieved himself of the lands of his memories, vowing as he did so that the next time he came upon these grounds it would be his time, as unfair as hers was.
The cold winds caused the marrows of his bones to quiver but he could hardly notice, now accustomed to the shaking of his sobs. The fear from his confusion the last few weeks hadn't helped to regain a sense of stability to his frail form. Walking blindly even as another gust of cold December air passed him by memories went with him, or threatened to. But, no matter how much they hurt, he didn't want to forget, for to truly forget all the times they shared together would to be leaving himself fully alone in the world forever, more alone then he felt now.
Without Sally who was there left, really? Zero had been re-assigned. Like in 'A Christmas Carol' Charles Dickens was right when he described a ghost's enslavement. Zero had only been with him a short time and now must move on to his next location, for what choice had he had? At the time it had been sad, his departing, but at least Jack had still had Sally. But now what was left besides this dreary, depressing-in-itself town he lived in? The place he called home. The place that had taken her forever.
This whole world was velveteen, faux, teenaged, and withered. Everything was as veridical as the similarities of black and white, silver and gold, love and scandal, and the chaos of all the analogies was going to eat him alive. He shook his head as he passed City Hall, continuing towards their… his home. He barely glanced up at his tall tower as he approached.
The first thing that had to go was the Christmas decorations. As his gait lengthened Jack stretched out his long arms, his eyes narrowing, and he took a firm grip on the Christmas lights that held all of his Christmas festiveness. Grimacing with the effort he pulled them all down in one, quick tug. Many of the bright, colorful bulbs exploded on their way down, bursting into fireworks in every color of the rainbow and showering their valor upon him, just as she once did. She had saved him once. He could never save her, even if he had known.
More tears stung his hollowed eyes, deep pools threatening to spill just as he threatened to give. Some of the lights were snagged, he saw, on the balcony far above his head. He pulled and pulled using all the strength he had left, feeling himself slip away with the cord of the jewels. There was a creaking up above and he looked up with an alertness that had been denied him for what seemed like an eternity; the balcony was loosened now from it embrace with the outer wall of his prison, hanging as though hinged together. His mouth twitched into a small smile and, tugging one last time on the cord, the heavy steel balcony came crashing down upon him, splintering his bones until he was but dust; the ultimate Christmas present.