Conclusion
Writing a whole story in a month is impossible
Or rather it would be if the month wouldn't be December, month of social life, finals and Christmas

Anyway, here is the chapter 17, and I hope I will be able to update a few more chapters before I leave for Berlin the 26th. -I'll be back the 30th-

They walked in the snow without even looking back. There was a snowstorm. Whatever. He have seen worse. And the storm will clear off his steps. Snow his white, cold, wet, and he saw it every day. He won't miss it.

His bag wad heavy. The travel to the trees was long. Longer than usual. He tripped when he walked, he was tired, he hadn't slept in days, and there was wind. Finally, he reached the door, thanks to Hana who actually look at where they walked and not the ground as he did.

He didn't even turned around or said a last goodbye to Christmas Town. No, he jumped in the tree, feeling the tears coming in his eyes.

His landing was perfect now, but it was useless, considering that he won't take this way ever again. He felt rather good here. The roots on the ground reassured him. One last time, he took off his red clothes, and threw them in a bush on his way to Halloween Town.

Farewell Santa, welcome Tino.

He went across the forest, climbed the fence of the graveyard, and rushed headlong to the town. Natalia could be here today, he didn't care. Actually, the monster could be here today, he wouldn't care.

He just wanted to go home.

He had fucking no idea of what time it was.

The streets were empty. It was dark. A horrible silence resonated all around him. He had to find someone, quickly. Hanatamago, next to him, seemed lost. And his vision began to blur… No, don't cry. Don't cry yet. Be strong, Tino.

Where lived Niels, Jendrik and Heiko again? He was the closest persons to Tino in Halloween Town. Especially Niels. He always said that if he had a problem, he just had to ask him for help. And that was all he needed now.

Here… It was their home. He was almost sure. He didn't even bother to check on the mailbox, it was too dark and his vision was too blurred. He climbed the stairs to the front door, and looked for the bell. Where the hell was this shit? He finally found it a button, and a strident sound resonated in the building when he pressed it.

He waited a few seconds, before hearing steps coming closer. Hoofs. It was Niels.

"Who's here?" the satyr yelled as soon as he opened the door.

He then backed up as he saw that Tino stood here, the eyes full of tears.

"Tino? So, so, sorry, I thought it was the rascals who played again. What are you doing here?"
"Niels… I'm deep in the shit…"

To be honest, he didn't exactly know how to react when he found himself with a sobbing Tino in his arms.

"Wow, wow, man. Calm down… Wait, come in."

The satyr let him in, and lead him to the living room. He made him sit next to him on the sofa, and tried to calm him down, unsuccessfully.

"Who was it?" someone said behind them.

Both of them turned around, to see Heiko in the doorway, half asleep, a candle in hand. It was rather weird for Tino to see the demon in a white nightgown, but Niels didn't seem shocked.

"Heikooo…" Tino sobbed.

The demon raised an eyebrow. He really didn't think that the problem coming in the middle of the night could be a crying Tino, but at the same time, he wasn't that surprised.

"I swear to Satan I didn't do anything." Niels defended himself.
"I know." Heiko sighed. "What's the problem, Tino?"
"Help me… I… I left home."

The demon sighed even more. He couldn't say he didn't see it coming. He went sat on the other side of Tino, who had buried his head in his hands and tried his better not to cry. But the lack of sleep was stronger than him.

"What happened?"
"It's just that… It's been months -no, years- that I feel like I don't fit anymore there. I can't stand having to be someone I'm not. I just… Wanted to be myself, you know? And one night, I discovered your village, and… I feel so good here, and everyone loves me for who I am, and I spent more and more time here… And ten days ago, I came back from here and I was drunk and everyone is so angry at me now… They must think I'm an egoistic and selfish asshole, and they'd be right… I betrayed them… And I just spent the ten worse days of my life, I was so guilty but I just couldn't apologise, because they were right about being angry, it's been months I take them for idiots, and I let them when they most needed me… I spent ten days being totally ignored, and… I just can't stay there anymore. I have nothing to do there."

Heiko locked his eyes in Tino, and asked him calmly:

"Will you miss them?"
"O… Of course I will. They are my friends. I abandoned them and… My best friend. But I can't stay there. I can't."
"As long as you promise that you will never forget them, you can stay here."
"I…"
"Will it worth it?"

Tino didn't say anything, a few seconds, his eyes locked in Heiko's cold ones.

"Yes… yes it will. I hope."

The demon then made something Tino thought he wasn't able to until now: he smiled. A warm and welcoming smile.

"So, welcome in Halloween Town. You can go in the guest room, Niels will show you where it is. Stay as long as you're pleased."

Tino made a genuine smile, and took Heiko in his arms.

Mmh, okay, it was probably not a good idea, Heiko wasn't exactly touchy-feely. At all.

"It's wonderful!" Niels shout beside them. "Hey, Tino I have something for you. Two seconds, I don't remember where I put it…"

The satyr got up and began to wander around the room, messing with everything around them. And finally, he found what he looked for in a closet, and gave it to Tino with a big smile.

"Here!"
"Is that a skull?" Tino asked, dazed.
"Yes, but it's more than that," Niels explained. "It's a mask. Considering that you're not very scary, I made a scary thing for you, like that if you wanted to stay you'll be able to. And it's almost Halloween, so… Anyway, I made it myself, with the head of one my enemies."

Tino sent a terrified look to Heiko, who just made him sign to not care, it was just Niels being Niels.

"Thank you, Niels."
"You're welcome! And now, you can say you live here."