Summary: The world became cruel towards Marnie Cromwell and family after the danger passed. Hurt, angry, and hateful, she moves to Halloweentown. Watch her change as she meets an old friend who might have the key to putting her heart back together...and making those who broke it pay.

Disclaimer: Mostly not mine. Recognizable things belong to someone who is not me. Original things are mine. The End.

Authoress' Note: This chapter took more then ten months, and it's semi-short and for that, I am so sorry. I had about twenty-five different versions of this chapter floating around, but they never seemed right. Anyways, this is the final result, so I'm putting it up. I figure the nice reviewers will kill me before I can type another attempt. Err…if I have any reviewers left? On the topic of reviewers, I'm thinking about canceling my anonymous review function. Should I?

Thanks for the reviews, you all are the reason I had the other eighty attempts. But you can thank my friend Nattie for this chapter. Something she said shamed me into it! . ;. So, thank her by reviewing. This is dedicated to her. And Emma, of course. (I have a more in depth response to you at the bottom, darling!)

On to a spot of humor.

Me: So, how did you enjoy detention, my dear?

Chloe: …...

Chloe: Shut up.

Me: Didn't I say I'd make the next chapter worse if you weren't nice?

Chloe: Yes, well… -looks at the glint in the authoress' eye and trembles- Alright! Alright! I'm sorry! -has a horrible feeling that the authoress is building up to something in this chapter-.

Me: Be afraid, my darling. Be very afraid. It's not that I don't love you, but entertainment value, sexual chemistry, actual plot, and all that rubbish.

Chloe: Uh-oh. I don't like the sound of that. Can someone get me out of this story?

Me: Sure. I can kill you off and make Sophie the main character…

Chloe: ...

Chloe: -sigh- You win.

Me: I always do.

Title:

Driven

Chapter Number:

7

Chapter Title:

Two Person Hit List

Movie:

Halloweentown Trilogy, Er…Quadrille?

Quote Time:

"Life Sucks. Deal With It." –My Friend Sammi, Everytime Someone Whines –

Chloe Midnight was having the week from hell. She was sleep-deprived, over-worked, under-fed and far too stressed. Her fiery tongue had earned her yet more detention, making life even harder on the poor girl. She had no time for things like meals and sleep, for she was constantly flitting from work to homework to class. It was all she could do to keep from screaming.

Her boss had her working over-time, she was constantly losing the homework she sacrificed hot meals and much needed Z's for, and if she didn't know better, she'd think Kal was going out of his way to ensure she had detention until she graduated in June by making her lose her temper. And at the rate her life had been going, she was starting to question the likelihood of her graduating at all.

As she stared at the clothes she was supposed to be putting on display, she wondered whether moving to Halloweentown had really been worth it. Life for her here was better in many aspects, but at the same time, she was worse off then when she started. She was popular, sure, she had a life here, but it seemed her luck was no better. And while it seemed as though she was fine, she missed her family more then anything in the world.

Artfully draping a scarf around a mannequin's waist, she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. While it was true she had no free time on her hands, she was still bored. Little did she know that twenty minutes would make her regret ever learning the definition of the word boredom.

Finishing her business in the front window of the store, Chloe walked back to the cash register and sat on a chair behind the counter. Surveying the empty store, she rubbed her tired eyes and decided to take a tiny rest.

What felt like seconds later, she was jolted awake by the clang of the bell over the door and the voices of the two people that were rapidly becoming the entirety of her hit list.

Kal's POV:

"Jacey, baby, are you sure you want to shop here again? That rude sales chick might be working." Kal put up a token protest, though his eyes gleamed with predatory intent. It was so easy to manipulate the girl into thinking she wanted to go shopping. And there was only one place to shop for girls like Jacey. Thackery Kaye. Which worked out well for him. He got Jacinda to shut up and shop, and he got to harass his amusing friend "Chloe".

"But Kally-bear," she simpered, "I really want something new to wear to the party tomorrow…" Heaving a sigh, he nodded and opened the door for her. Watching Jacey walk in, he briefly wondered why he didn't just dump the girl. It was only after Jacey pulled him forward and kissed him hard that he remembered. Watching her saunter off to the racks, he decided to find Chloe.

Imagine his shock when he found her rubbing her temples while swearing a blue streak. As he got closer, he realized she was blearily muttering about murder, peaceful sleep disturbed, and forsaking the Code of Merlin to murder them in between strands of profanity. Kal could have laughed right then. A self-righteous Cromwell speaking of murder as though it was nothing more than flying a broom? My this was an interesting turn of events. But he always had thought Marnie different from the rest. Special. And he was going to prove it to her. Oh yes, he was.

---- Insert Cliff Hanger And Evil Laughter Here ----

Reviewer Responses

Tacobell: I again ask you to consider reading the rest. Keep in mind it's AU, and I really hate Dylan. Still, it makes for an interesting read.

Mooneasterbunny: Yeah. I feel bad for her. Especially considering next chapter is written already. Heh. At least she gets a kiss?

Swimming-Gal: Sorry I didn't update sooner. But chapter eight should be up the end of next week.

Blackkat913: If you're still reading this, I commend you. The people who review this chapter get the next dedicated to them.

PoorLenore: Love the pen name. Anything to do with Poe? I adore Poe. Heh. Off topic. Thanks for reading. It's always good to have fresh blood around. If you're reading this now, I love you people.

Emma Raven Moony Grimm: This chapter, as always, is dedicated to you, luv. Enjoy reading it after my disappearing off of the face of the Earth all this time. By the way, it's always good to check my profile for status updates.-winks-

Oh, and not to be offensive, but Happy Easter, or Holidays, or Spring or whatever it is to you. By the way, along with Spring, I turned over a new leaf. Chapter eight will be up by the end of next week. I swear!