Chapter X (oh my god, double digits!)

No copyright intended, I do not own the Nightmare Before Christmas. I only own my own creations.

Quinn crouched behind a tombstone as he searched for any trace of Chelsea. Somehow, it felt like Chelsea had been here. Quinn followed his heart as he climbed Crescent Hill, for the first time alone. He sat upon the crest, looking down upon the gravestones of those long gone.

He looked across the town, scanning each building, hoping. And suddenly, as if on it's own, his neck snapped to the right and his eyes beheld the Treehouse. Jack had warned him that it was no good, that the Terror Trio lived there. That Oogie Boogie lived there; the second most feared creature in Halloween Town.

But Quinn knew in his heart he had to go there; he knew that Chelsea laid in it's depths somewhere, waiting for him. He began to descend Crescent Hill quickly, preparing to fight for the love of his life's freedom.

Part II

Chelsea's tears spilled down her cheek as she crouched in the corner of the casino. Several bruises and cuts marked her body and face; she looked like someone who had gone through hell and back. In reality, in felt as if she had. She had been a slave to Oogie ever since he had brought her here. He would tease her with promises of escape and then beat her when she "smart-mouthed" him.

Demi sat in the corner as well, tears rolling down her cheeks as she sobbed. Oogie had taken her up into the sun, and she had come back an almost changed person. She wouldn't give Chelsea details, but she knew he had done things to her. If it was the last thing she did, Chelsea knew she would rip Oogie apart by the seams; only a truly cruel person who had no heart would hurt such a young girl in that way. Chelsea held her friend in her arms, gently rubbing her hair and comforting her. "I'm so scared Chels. I want to go home." "I know Demi. I want to go home too; I swear to god, we will get out of here. I'll make sure. I'm so sorry this had to happen to you Demi." Chelsea said, kissing her forehead, trying her best to comfort her. Demi's tears rained down on Chelsea's arm, almost soaking through her thin dress. Suddenly, a small ray of light burst into the casino, causing both of the girls to gasp and cover their eyes. It shut quickly and loud footsteps reverberated through the whole cavern; both of the girls shrunk back, fearing that their captor was back to torture them.

But instead of the great, green bumbling shape that usually walked toward them, a thin body coated in red crouched beside them. His eyes were yellow and worried, checking both of them over, examining their wounds carefully. He finally looked up at the two, his eyes lingering on Demi. "Come with me. And be silent." He whispered.

Both Chelsea and Demi crept quickly behind him, keeping their lips closed tightly. The strange boy led them to the far right wall of the casino and quickly opened a hidden panel. He gestured toward it and Chelsea looked down at her young friend. Her eyes were fearful and desperate; Chelsea knew she would do whatever it took to escape, no matter how scared she was. The boy went first, walking in as if he had done it a million times before. Demi followed him bravely, a determined look in her fearless eyes. Chelsea hesitated for a moment, then decided anything would be better than this hellhole. As soon as Chelsea's feet stepped through the space between the casino and the mysterious corridor, the panel slid shut, locking them inside. The girls were weary as they walked behind the boy; it may have been there only way out, but that was no reason to not be suspicious.

Part III

Quinn stood outside the Treehouse, looking up at the terrifying structure. A shudder ran through his body; it almost like the evil inside that building was just leaking out, sending terror into anyone who was close enough. But Quinn was braver than he looked, he knew Chelsea was somewhere in the Treehouse. Or under it.

Quinn heard a noise from behind him and he ducked into a bush, watching carefully as a group of people stepped out. First came a boy, with a handsome face and blazing red hair to match his equally red outfit. After him came a girl he thought he would never see again 'Demi?' He thought, shocked to see his kid sister looking brave and battle ready walk out behind him. But after those two came the most important of all to him. Chelsea's red hair was free and wildly tangled, blowing in the slight wind. She was covered in bruises, and he soon realized both his sister and Chelsea were covered in several cuts and wounds, thought it didn't seem to bother them as they looked at the world around them. The moon now shone, having risen long ago.

"HOW DARE YOUR DEFY ME? YOU DARE ANGER OOGIE BOOGIE?" Quinn heard a deep, cruel voice shout. Both of the girls shrunk back as a hideous, green monster burst out of the cavern they had risen from not but five minutes ago. He snatched Demi up by her ponytail as she screamed, kicking and lashing out, doing her best to unlatch his hand from her hair.

His other hand came up to slap her cheek, leaving a red mark that seemed to pulse different shades of scarlet. Anger pulsed through Quinn's heart as he watched Oogie try to drag the girls back into the hole. Demi bit his arm as she screeched out. Demi cursed as he dropped her, spitting something onto the ground, something that crawled away. The boy that had led them out began to punch Oogie in his ugly face, doing his best to hide the fear that obviously struck him deep in his heart.

Demi began to fight him as well, trying to help the handsome boy. Oogie grabbed her around the waist, causing her to scream in response. Quinn couldn't bear in any longer. He jumped of his hiding place and landed a good punch in Boogie's face. He staggered back, a piece of the string keeping him together winding it's way around a tree root. Chelsea saw the opportunity and kicked Oogie in the stomach, grabbing Demi by the arm as he fell. Oogie slid down the cavern, his "skin" coming off until all that remained were thousands of bugs, each scurrying off in it's own directions. But as he fell, he took one last attempt at revenge. His remained hand grabbed the whole of Chelsea's red hair, causing her to scream and fall back with him.

As they fall for what seemed like hours, Chelsea's short life passed in front of her eyes. She finally landed, Boogie's remaining bugs skittering away. She laid in a broken heap, crumpled and barely breathing. She knew so much was broken inside of her, there was no chance she would heal. As the others raced down, Chelsea opened her eyes and saw Quinn's tears falling as he ran. He took her in his arms, looking down into her eyes. "Don't leave me…" She whispered, holding onto his jacket tightly. He nodded and kissed her, a kiss full of desperation and agony. "I promise." Quinn whispered. Chelsea's eyes began to shut, the light leaving them as the pain began to ease. Quinn's tears mingled with her own. As her heart stopped beating, Quinn heart seemed to stop, and finally shatter into a million pieces. Little did they know, Chelsea's story was far from over.

A:N/ OH MY GOD. My heart broke when I wrote the end. But, there will be a sequel, I assure you. Can't wait to write chapter Undo. (: Well thank you for reading guys, I'm so glad everyone liked it. And sorry, but I won't be able to start the sequel until probably a few days from now. Going back to school tomorrow, and I know I'm going to have tons of work waiting for me. Alright, goodbye guys. Goodnight, and stay in touch for the sequel! Oh and more ShaenaXLily, LockXDemi, and JackXSally will be in the sequel. And of course there will be QuinnXChelsea. LOL, now I have to sleep! (:

-Lila 8:19 PM