Tricked Out | Nightmare Before Christmas

Chapter 15: Frankenstein Zeit

All credits to the author. I don't own anything.

Enjoy!
...

November 10

7:46 am

The pumpkin sun sent it's first rays through the streets of Halloween, and two figures began to move.

Both hesitantly made their way through a large hall, peering around corners before lifting the locks of front doors and slipping out.

One was Ivy.

The other was looking for her.

...

Ivy pulled her beanie over her ears to block the slight chill, grateful that the rain had halted in the night. The silent streets put the girl on edge-it hadn't been a rest night, after all- but she pushed it out of her mind, enjoying the chance to move around freely. Geschwindigkeit was tucked under her arm, but one look at the slick cobblestones and she decided not to risk it.

The human passed the window of Witch Tricks, pausing to stare at a glow worm curled up in a lantern. As though sensing her gaze, the worm perked up and a soft yellow glow lit up the window. Ivy grinned and moved on, nodding to a monster who stared curiously from across the road.

A shadow fell over her and she stiffly turned her head, expecting to see a monster looming over her.

To her surprise, it was a book sign.

Blinking at the odd sight, she peered closer to a note taped on the window, shaky handwriting saying, Come in!

Shrugging, Ivy straightened her shirt and grasped the doorknob.

"Let go, fool!" A clipped voice hissed. Ivy snatched her hand back and stared in fascinated horror as a face twisted around the knob.

"Youngsters today need to learn some patience," the knob grumbled, clicks turning nevertheless. The door swung open and the knob paused to grunt, "go on, if you must."

"Uhh...thanks," Ivy said, wishing she'd passed the place all together. She stepped past the knob, who was still grumbling about 'his day' and 'respect for the old door."

Although she wasn't consciously aware of it, Ivy's eyes had gotten better at adjusting to the dark. The early morning light soon let her see enormous shelves of books and notepads that rivaled Jack's.

"Fearful creatures, huh," she muttered. "More like a bunch of bookworms."

"I should hope not," a voice came from a corner. "They make snacks of my collection."

Ivy bit her tongue and jumped, resisting the urge to wield Geschwindigkeit as a weapon. "Who's that?" She asked, seeing a shadow stand and cock it's head.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" The monster stated, it's voice deep and steady. "Seeing as you're the one in my home."

"I-I'm Ivy Kunze," the human stammared. She thought momentarily of the escape route behind her, then straightened her back. I'm done running in fear. "Sorry to disturb you, but the sign-"

"Ah yes, I apologize. I simply wasn't expecting many visitors today. Please, come in."

Ivy heard the thud of feet and suddenly light from a skylight came spilling in.

A hulking, stitched up monster tied the skylight curtain back, giving Ivy time to process what stood before her.

"I've got some tea, if you want," Frankenstein's monster offered. "Take a seat, Miss."