After the town meeting, all the monsters followed jacks orders and went inside their homes. It was the first step in protecting themselves and each other until everything was all sorted out.

They were all sad that they couldn't roam the town but they knew it was for the best. Not only that, but now they knew that man was Bella's human dad. And they wanted nothing more than for Bella to be safe and for that asshole to be out of Halloweentown.

Later that night, Bella had gone upstairs to try and get some sleep, Jack and Sally doing the same. Zero was beside Bella, resting in front of her with his ghostly chin on her knee, protectively watching her sleep. Ever since the day he met her, he felt so attached to her. And honestly, maybe just a tiny bit more attached to her than jack. But he still loved his owner and Sally very very much.

All of a sudden, whimpers started leaving Bella's throat and zero immediately floated above her, whining worriedly. He saw tears begin to flow down her cheeks, her body trembling and her eyebrows furrowed. He wasted no time in flying over to Jack and Sally's room, where they lay in bed, with Sally's head against his shoulder. They were still awake, worrying about Bella. She was their daughter and they wanted to make sure she was safe and happy.

Zero entered the room, whining and barking which immediately caught their attention. They sat up looking at zero, who was so incredibly concerned. Even though he was a ghost, they could still tell he was upset.

"What is it boy?" He asked and before he could ask another question, a loud heartbreaking cry could be heard coming from Bella. They almost tripped getting out of bed, putting on their slippers and rushing out of the bedroom, up the stairs and into Bella's room. They turned her bedside lamp on and jack, who sat down on the edge of the bed, placed his bony hands on her shoulders and she jolted awake. Her eyes snapped open, her body shooting up into a sitting position and her breathing ragged.

"Honey, breathe, breathe..." jack cooed as his hands tenderly rested on her cheeks and all it took was for her to look at him once and her mother before her eyes tightly closed and she covered her mouth with with both hands, choking on her tears. She leaned forward and rested her forehead against jacks chest.

"Oh sweetheart..." jack wrapped his arms around her, Sally coming up to sit down on the opposite side of Bella and very soothingly rubbed her back. It absolutely tore them apart seeing their daughter so distraught and in absolute torturous fear. Her heart pounded in her chest, her body shaking like a leaf and the tears would not stop falling.

She hated herself for feeling so vulnerable, so timid. She wished she was stronger, wanting to be able to come over her fear of her abusive dad. She hated him, absolutely hated him. And she didn't really hate anybody.

"I-I-I hate myself... I-I'm so weak, s-so vulnerable, s-so... afraid.:. I-I don't want to feel this way daddy... m-mama, I'm scared.,." She sobbed and they both looked at her in shock. How could she say that about herself? None of this was her fault and she had every right to feel scared. They didnt know her father but from what she told them, They could only imagine what kind of torture he put her through.

What kind of a father does that? Treats their daughter like they are a dog, or a piece of garbage? As a parent, you are supposed to love, cherish and adore your child, no matter what. Through thick and thin, good times and bad times, you should always be there for your kid. And he didn't do any of that.

"H-he hurt me so bad... t-traumatized me... s-said and did things to me that can never be taken back...h-how can a f-father t-treat their child like that?" Jack and sally looked at each other, sadness and heartbreak in their eyes. But there was also unconditional love. Jack looked down at her and slightly pulled away, placing a hand on her cheek.

"Bella, you have every right to feel afraid. From what you told us, what this man did to you, is completely unthinkable, and horrifying. But know this, you are not weak, you are our strong, beautiful girl and you are safe with us. You are OUR daughter, our precious girl and we will do ANYTHING for you..." he promised and Sally took a hold of Bella's hand, nodding in agreement.

"Absolutely Bella. That man will not touch you. We will find out where he is and we will stop him once and for all. For all the residents, and for you. You mean the absolute world to us." Sally spoke reassuringly and firmly, running her fingers through her hair.

Bella sniffled, more tears falling as she squeezed Sally's hand, glancing at her before looking up at Jack, her head still against his shoulder. "I-I love you both so m-much... y-you have no idea..."

Jack cradled her head and placed a tender kiss on her forehead, letting it linger a moment before continuing to hold her in his arms, resting his cheek on top of her head.

"We love you too, my pumpkin girl. And we promise, we will resolve this and we will set things right."

They were absolutely determined to get that bastard out of Halloweentown for good and protect their Princess. They wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Not on their watch.