-------------One Đαяж दिन in the Middle of the Night--------------
-------------Chapter II-------------


    All that was happening to poor вєп was being watched in a giant room, द्वारा a pair of thin, small eyes. They were enjoying the दिखाना terribly.
    “Well, that’s some boy आप have there. Yes, some boy indeed,” a shrill, high pitched voice echoed throughout the den.“Some boy..,” it repeated while a fiery red झींगा मछली, समुद्री झींगा claw lowered some thin black shades from his pointed nose. “I’m very happy I have him now. He’s just what I wanted. Oh don’t आप worry your pretty little head about it. I’ll take good care of him. Real good care,” he continued with a tender lick of his lips द्वारा an easily recognizable forked tongue. “He’ll be happy here, with me. I’ll train him, and treat him like my own.” his pointed feet danced over to a sort of bed. It was simple stone, with one of its faces covered द्वारा three या four inch long spikes, some of which where bent like hooks. It moved like one of those giant chalkboards, rotating on hinges. Him* stroked the many grindstones with his large claw on his way over. “Nothing to worry your pretty little head over, Jack,” a hideous, ear piercing laugh ripped about as he rotated the bed, revealing its captive.
    Poor Jack was bound द्वारा his hands, his back flat against the spikes, the hooks catching and tearing at his बोन्स whenever he moved. Other बिना सोचे समझे बोन्स of his body were missing, either chopped, snapped, sawed, या ground away. There were torture devices scattered throughout the room. Grindstones, varying greatly in size stood like commemorative statues. Several saws, a chainsaw या two, and iron needles were on their designated podiums. Every kind of object that आप could possibly use to inflict damage upon bone, thus pain upon Jack, would easily be spotted somewhere on that seeming plateau.
    “You let him go आप monster! आप have no right to him! Release him from the bonds of this place! Remove the veil from his eyes, THIS SHALL NOT PROCEED!” Jack screamed to Him, who only smiled, thoroughly enjoying his captives cries.
    “You really, really believe that आप can just tell me what to do?!? It’s like आप doubt my power या something!” He questioned as he caressed the Skellington’s head. “Well, old friend, I’m hurt. आप have pained me, cut me to the quick, to the bone, to my soul even!” Him whaled dramatically.
    “It’s about time आप overgrown, self-absorbed, heinously creepy and disgusting, son of---”
    “Of? Of a what? Well well well my good friend,” he कहा wiping a pretend tear from his eye, chuckling to himself. “I thank आप for the compliment.”
    Suddenly, he pulled a giant lever which started a sort of... I can't भालू to tell आप what the sort of torture that dear Jack was going through. I can't dare to elaborate. Him simply stood there, a evil grin curled along his thin, pointed lips as he listened to Jack moan in pain.
    “You shouldn’t call people names आप weakling. I want him, I need him. This place will need a new king! If आप wish to watch over your son, I suggest that आप HOLD YOUR TONGUE.” Him forewarned Jack as he stopped the machine.
    Jack’s head hung low as he panted, trying desperately to regain himself. His limbs were clearly shaking. His raised his white skull up to look upon the “TV”, which was positioned just across from his body. It was an oval portal, black and red smoke constantly mixing around its edges, yet never combing to form a new color. Him had the power to keep this lookout up all the time. And good thing. He was smart to be cautious, but he mostly just enjoyed gazing upon his empire which he had worked so hard to collect.
    Jack was located in the middle of the ginormous room, on चोटी, शीर्ष of a huge hill. The walls were decorated with सोना and silver tapestries. Both the tapestries, and the many paintings, had tassels hanging from the frames, the patterns laid out द्वारा rubies, and all depicted some sort of evil.
    The floor was absolutely covered with junk. Well, according to Jack it was junk, but not according to man. There were literal mountains, compiled of all the objects that can cause man to sin. These mountains were divided into seven sections, each of which resembled one of the seven deadly sins. One mountain for ..., another for lust, still another for rage. One mountain resembled... and another ….
    The largest mountain of all was greed. It sat in the center of the room, towering high above the others. It had money, crowns, guns, medals, anything that greed could be associated with was there. It was very clear that this was the worst, and most powerful sin.
    It was on चोटी, शीर्ष of this mountain where Him stayed. He had his most treasured possessions always close. His ornamented bed, with a bedspread that matched his attire. Both were red, with some white fluff around the edges. All four bedposts towered above everything else in the room, with a child-like canopy on top. He had his throne, and overstuffed, fluffy गुलाबी फर decorated, bean-bag chair. It sat right अगला to the tiny refrigerator, in which Him stored cold drinks.
    “You’re dear boy has already made it through two of my worlds. The first being lust. I planned...”
    “Lust?! आप coward!” Jack hissed. “You dare to put a blemish upon mine son’s innocence! आप shall rot for your heinous act, screaming in torment for what आप have done, until the दिन of your demise has come! And I shall be there, in the arms of mine loving, tender family, laughing at your pain, when mine own brother** comes, your very soul he will then claim!!” Jack roared with anger, tugging at his chains.
    Him continued, but frustrated द्वारा Jack’s outburst. “It was my plan for my little doll, my little sweet tart, to introduce MY boy to one of the seven sins, which he will soon wish and प्यार to live in..,” He paused, allowing Jack the amble time to react. The Skellington needed no time before he was, yet again, howling threats.
    “He is not nor son, nor will he ever be! His प्यार he gives to only one, AND THAT ONE IS ME!”
    Now fully outraged that Jack was neither scared, nor worried, Him yelled back, “Mark my words when I say, the lad doesn’t even know your name! Oh, when I am done, heck of a son I will have won! He will be a little me! I’ll teach him the tricks, आप wait and see! He will be his father’s son! Leaving you, dear Jack, missing one!”
    Jack, angered, yet not in the least worried about his son's loyalty, responded, “I will not give आप my son! He will always be mine! I have loved him since the dawn of his time! He is young, and what he needs, is a GOOD father, not आप but ME!
"It’s time आप mark MY words demon! Take for sure what I say, he will always be mine, never yours, आप WILL NOT HAVE YOUR WAY! My вєп loves me, even if he is lost! Release me so I can go to him, before I get even और cross!”
    “You really think your threats stand up to me? आप are a foolish one. I WILL WIN, आप wait and see! This is not just a game, look at what I’ve done, your kid I have renamed! दिया him my own special touch. आप really need to हटाइए on, stop giving such a fuss! He doesn’t know you, he never will! आप took my son, now I take yours! आप don’t realize with whom आप deal!”
    Jack remembered all that he learned about Lock. When Him mentioned his once was son, Jack was determined to get under the monsters skin, one way या another. “You are the greater fool it seems! I never took your boy, he left you! Your Lock now lives with me! Little Lock has turned a leaf, but आप have never cared, so tell me, why all the sudden grief? आप slept with that girl, and when your son was born, she quickly turned tail. And better for her, I would have done it. Getting her back, wouldn’t आप प्यार it!? But she died before आप found her, आप never knew such a good mother. But that boy was the worst around, so my brother took him, and placed him into my town. Lock gave his human side that day, to stay away from you, there was no other way! आप again sent a monster to my home, आप hoped to get your son back! Instead आप killed my вєп, is there anything that I lack???”
    “I’m done playing games, I’m tired of talking to you! आप make me so mad I might even blow a fuse! Yes, my son left, but what’s it matter to you? आप will be begging to save yourself द्वारा the time that I am through!” Him swung his claw up, snapping it, the noise echoing throughout the room.
    Jack closed his eyes, expecting the worst. But nothing happened. He peeked through one and looked around. Seeing nothing, he raised his head high. Calmly gazing from one side to the other, Jack taunted Him snobbishly. “Is something supposed to be happening?”
    Him only muttered to himself, crossing his arms, and tapping his pointy foot impatiently...“Mimi***!”
    Jack simply stared, humored at Him’s failure. Suddenly something caught the corner of the captives eye. Really, a small red claw grabbed the corner of his eye, pulling his entire head down, almost touching the floor. He painfully followed it and soon came face to face with the red face of a girl. Her thin gray eyes stared back blankly.
    “Mimi, I presume,” Jack कहा to her, cordially. She released his head, turning to face Him. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” Jack lied. Though he had no idea what Him was going to do with her, he wanted to plant a thought of himself being the victim, just in case.
    Mimi solemnly continued staring forward.
    “Mimi, come here sweetie, I want to look at you,” Him coaxed her, quite disgustingly.
    She simply gazed back.
    “I कहा COME HERE!” Him demanded, raising a claw, and shooting it straight down beside him, telling her where she should stand.
    Minnie simply swung her hips to one side, folded her claws behind the small of her back, settling her eyes elsewhere.
    Jack squinted in great curiosity, but mostly because he worried for the small girl. Doesn’t she know what he can do to her? Well, of course what he hasn’t done already. Poor, poor girl. If there was any way that I could help you, believe me, I would. His broken दिल went out to the pretty thing. She was short, came up to his waist, if he was standing. Long, black, thick hair fell easily around her tiny waist. Like Him, she had some sort of झींगा मछली, समुद्री झींगा claws. Her eyes were her most profound quality. They were thin, and gray. Any sharp look could catch the story of agony and pain that they told.
    Jack was snapped out of his observations and back to his horrible reality when poor Mimi was instantly pounded in the back of her head द्वारा a cold soda. She stumbled forward, shocked yet not a sound muttered from her small black lips. Quickly, and easily, she had regained her footing, and was twirled around, glaring at Him. Her claws were raised threateningly in her defense.
    Jack whipped his head about to look upon Him as well. He looked like he was ready to explode. Hunched forward, arms hanging in front of him, one eyebrow twitching furiously, holding the door the his mini refrigerator, which was decorated with all the magnets that आप would expect a college girl to proudly boast in. “HOW DARE आप IGNORE ME! I AM YOUR MASTER, YOUR LORD! आप ARE TO DO WHATEVER I SAY!!!” Him roared with rage. Mimi quickly repositioned herself, striking a pose, ready for his attack. Her fuming gray eyes met Him’s fuming red ones. Battle was inevitable, with poor Jack, the helpless watcher. But before they could begin combat, there happy moment was joyfully interrupted द्वारा a quiet chuckle.
    “Now now, Him, don’t get your पेटी in a knot,” Jack quipped, smiling evilly to himself.
    Taken back द्वारा what Jack said, Him blushed severely. “BU-BUT, I DON’T WEAR..,” in a quick moment of understanding he realized that the simply skeleton had delivered a striking blow. “I don’t like you,” was all Him could mutter, the words barely audible as they crawled through clenched teeth and out the corner of his mouth.
    “Really. आप know the funny thing is that I’ve been told I give that exact same impression. Isn’t that weird? But really, this is child’s play. All of it. आप think I’m mean now, well आप should see me when I am actually having a bad day,” Jack replied with an innocent shrug and बिना सोचे समझे emphasis of his well-put phrases. Letting an insult simply slide off was something that he learned from вєп, the few years that his poor son was alive anyway.
    “...a lot,” Him hissed annoyingly, adding to his पूर्व statement.
    “I know,” Jack reassured him, almost sounding kind about it.
    Mimi, meanwhile, was taken back worse than Him was द्वारा Jack’s insult. That very insult had stopped the fight that she knew she would have lost. It prevented her from being put through a lot of pain, and it intervened on purpose. Never before had anyone ever done anything like that. She thought about the torture that Him would have laid upon her, if she had indeed gone through with the mini battle. Her simple mind thought of all the pain that Him had done to her.
    Images of her child-hood rushed through her mind. Pictures of the evil she had seen flooded her. Quickly, she snapped herself out of it. Not because they were to horrible, which indeed they were, but because she always had to be ready. She had to be ready to fight, ready to injure, ready to kill. That’s the only way she could get through the single day. That’s the only way she could stay on top.
    Once she regrouped herself she heard Jack and Him arguing comically with each other. Well, Him was quite obviously outraged, nor was he enjoying himself. But as it would appear, Jack was having the time of his life.
    “Do to!” Him was whining.
    “Oh please, आप don’t, and आप know it!” Jack easily countered.
    “Do To and I Know It!”
    “Absurd, what are the chances? Be realistic.”
    “But I Do!”
    “Do what? Do REAListic? Good now that we are on the same page, आप should REALize that your देखा गया are unREAListic, and that the only REAL option आप have is to admit that आप do not.”
    “BUT I DO TO!!!” Him stopped a foot on the ground, causing the entire mountain to tremble.
    Jack calmly looked over at Mimi as she took a step beside him. “I guess he does,” he कहा smiling. Mimi stared at his grin, then slowly reached a claw to it. Jack watched her curiously. Just as she was about to touch him, she froze, slamming her arm to her side and began walking toward Him. No, no, please don’t walk away! I can help you, please believe me! Jack quietly pleaded with the girl as he watched her walk over to Him, who reached his claw out to touch her.
    She stood there giving no reaction to what he did. His lips curled into a smile, “that’s a good girl,” he snickered.
    “You disgusting bag of filth,” Jack angrily muttered, his teeth clenched furiously.
    Him smiled to himself upon hearing the Skeleton’s remarks. Straightening his back he towered over little Mimi. “Now my dear, how do आप feel like doing Daddy a favor?” he asked of her. “Good good. That’s Daddy’s little girl. Now I want आप to go on a little trip. Can आप do that? Go check up on our family, आप can do that for me right? While you’re out, I want आप to find someone special.” He pointed to the portal, her pretty gray eyes following his claw like hypnosis. “You see that little brat? Daddy wants आप to go round him up. He’s going to be your new friend.” Him threw his head back and let loose a most terrifying laugh as Mimi walked off.
    “NO!” Jack whaled, again tugging on his chains. “Don’t do it!” he begged, but Mimi was beyond him.
    “Don’t waist your breath आप ingrate. If आप really want to know, then I’ll tell आप a little story.” With a swooping leap Him landed, with a soft thud, on his bean-bag. He was suddenly wearing a longer, red robe, holding a claw-fitted mug which had “World’s Best Devil” plastered on it. He also held a pipe with eerie green smoke dancing out of it. He was thrown this way and that as he shifted up and down, struggling to over come the beans. Eventually, and with a bunch of cursing, he managed to regain a comfortable position. Delicately taking a sip from his mug, after which he carelessly flung it over his shoulder, he began; “Oh where do I begin?” he asked in a high pitched, scratchy voice.
    “How about आप don’t,” Jack stubbornly insisted.
    “HOW ABOUT WITH YOU?!” the demon roared grabbing a button that had appeared. He tugged on the cord on it before giving the button a mighty slam. His face lit up from the light दिखाना that followed. Giant electric cords dropped from the ceiling, zapping the तालिका, टेबल with electricity every time they touched each other. Jack’s groans filled the air as Him began to elaborate his plan.
    “You see, it all started with that wretch Lock. When I लॉस्ट him, well, I never was the same. I yearn for a boy, a child, someone that I can, shall I say, have some fun with. आप know, do what any Daddy wants to do with his kid. दिखाना THEM THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF MANKIND, TEACH THEM TO प्यार THE EVILS OF THE WORLD, KILL SOME PEOPLE, CONSPIRE WITH THEM INTO TAKING OVER YOUR सिंहासन AND INEVITABLY DESTROYING THE WORLD, and play some catch if we have time before lunch.
    "You see, the whole आप and your brother being trapped here for a while was just a diversion from my real plan. While आप were away, I sent a little pet of mine to your happy little town.
    "Oh, a most wonderful and glorious battle ensued. Oh don’t worry, your residents all fought bravely. Well, the kids did anyway. What kind of people allow a group of juvenile delinquents to conquer their problems for them!?!!?.
    "Anyway, of course, the plan was for that little show-off, human, son of mine to die, thus reuniting me with him. But that little imp of yours gets getting in the way. Again and again I looked at the battle, only to find that either something else is missing from my monster, या they’re throwing rocks down his throat, या blowing him up from the inside, IT WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING with that trouble-maker of yours!! Oh, but he is a smart one, I give him that.
    "When I saw that the little scamp Lock wasn’t in any danger, I filled my animal with my own special brew, something that I’m sure you’re familiar with. And your little offspring took the bait! My Þݤ¥ had seeped into little вєп’s ribs, but the fool didn’t realize it till it was to late, but I get ahead of myself.
    "Of course, my poor beast was defeated before आप showed up. आप being there, with your boy infected, oh! It was just to good to let pass! OH, how I wanted to see the both of आप suffer, so I made my trade offer.
    "You are well aware of the rest. The town for your boy, being the perfect father that आप were, आप denied it. For my own glory, I expect as much, so I started little вєп’s metamorphosis. Eventually he would become like me, sitting beside me, as soon as he is ready. Which he still is far from.
    "But you! Adding yourself into the mix! Well I never saw that coming. I wanted that squirt, but you! I get a new ruler for my kingdom, and my own model skeleton! It’s क्रिस्मस all साल bubby!
    "But I digress, like I said, “вєп” is far from ready to accept my throne. So I have designed a sort of training camp for him. The first of my realms he had to go through was lust. Really, I should say, I was shocked when I learned that he hadn’t, how shall I say, “goofed around” with a girl yet??? Well, that simply had to go, so I sent my Sandra on it. She is the best little seductress that I have. She is also number one of the seven sins.
    "Of course, he will need to be revealed the true pleasure of all seven, but two is certainly a good start. Oh my, did I say two? Well, I guess after вєп’s little run-in with Stinky in the rage world, that would be two.
    "Yes, not only do I have someone covering six out of the seven sins for me, but I have seven worlds to represent each. When I claim someone, I put them into their assigned world, and my monsters are there to make sure everyone behaves.
    "Oh deary me, I कहा that I have six out of seven representatives didn’t I? Well, at last count that’s how many I have. I need one और before becoming all supreme and powerful. Of course आप guessed it. That’s why I need your kin. I sense something inside of him that I can use. And don’t even ask, all will be revealed in due time,” Him finally finished. He paused, turning the machine off, giving Jack a moment to collect himself before responding.
    “What, what’s with Mimi? Why is she like that?” He weakly coughed.
    “Well, I should say I am taken back. Some father आप are. Even after I explain my elaborate plan to expose your only male kin to the worst in the worlds, आप dare to ask about my little Mimi? I truly am shocked द्वारा you. Apparently your प्यार and devotion really are weakening. Well, आप sad, sad excuse, I am tired of talking to you, so I will say one thing about Mimi. She had great potential before I found her. She was smart. I have to keep her in her “dumb” state या else she will destroy me. Now, before I retire for the evening, I want to hear आप scream one last time,” Him said, again tenderly licked his lips.
    “You know, that’s the funny thing about wants,” Jack said, trying with his all might to not sound alarmed.
    “FINE THEN! I’ll दिखाना आप what Mimi is going to do to your pathetic, little, weakling of a terror when she finds him!” he, again, exploded, summoning forth another portal. Jack was forced to watch the दिखाना that was played before him.
    “Are आप scared for your little boy now!? Will आप Scream For Me Now!?!?” Him taunted the poor father.“Well आप should be! आप have both annoyed me for long enough! I can’t wait for him to get through the sins, I’ll just put him through them all once he gets here! WILL WATCHING THAT MAKE आप SCREAM!?!?” Him roared with evil laughter. The only thing that was louder than the devil’s laugh, was a father’s sick cry for his child.
    Jack simply couldn’t take it anymore. He had been holding strong for several days, but he couldn’t go on. Throwing his back, he began to ह्वेल, व्हेल for his son. His cries echoed throughout all of the realms, they sang in every ear. The monsters and things all turned to look. A determined Mimi cast her eyes to the ground as she continued. And one small, blond child stirred innocently in his sleep.