Jack looked over the calendar. They weren't too unusual - after all, he knew Christmas Eve was December 24th, and had figured out the days quite easily - but most of the town relied on the countdown clock. He gave Carmilla a nod.

"But how would they even would know you had it?" Jack asked. "They're not normally welcome in Vampire Castle, are they?"

Vlad's frown deepened.

"On occasion, we have allowed Lock into our home, as he is Lillith's current lover. While he is supervised at all times when given an invitation, it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume he's seen it in our daughters' room."

Jack nodded. He was still certain that Shock was the mastermind, but her brothers would assist her in any way they could - whether they wanted to or not. He let the doctor take the calendar, then went to Sally.

"I think we have a pretty good idea of what happened," he said.

Sally nodded, but frowned.

"They're not usually [i]this[/i] troublesome before Halloween, though, Jack. Do you think--?"

She didn't get to finish her sentence as Dr. Finklestein's yell echoed up to the lab, complimented with Igor's delayed lightning.

If there was any doubt as to who was behind it, Carver's sudden absence only confirmed it. She [i]had[/i] to know why they were there, and got out of dodge.

Jack turned to Carmilla.

"We'll figure out the dates later," he said softly. "I think right now, the town needs some answers...and afterwards, I need to pay a certain set of tricksters a visit."

~~~

Back in the square, Jack was greeted with desperation by the rest of the town. Several citizens spoke up at once.

"What's going on?"

"Jack!"

"Did we miss Halloween?"

"What do we [i]do[/i]?"

"Jack!"

"Is something wrong?"

"Were [i]they[/i] involved?"

Jack held up his hands for silence. The crowd quelled down again as he positioned himself to be heard by everyone.

"After a bit of investigation, I believe I know what's going on. First and foremost, we have [i]not[/i] missed Halloween."

That got a series of relieved sighs and chatter.

"But when is it?" Corpse Kid asked.

Jack frowned.

"I'm...not quite sure, just yet, but this next bit is more important. I need the graveyard's patch of forget-me-lots to be checked at once."

"Already done, Jack!" Agnes perked up. "I sent Agatha to go check while we were waiting for you."

"Excellent!" Jack exclaimed, before turning to Agatha. "What did you find?"

"There's a few new blossoms," Agatha said, "but it's otherwise been picked clean."

Jack frowned, but nodded.

"I'd imagine any patches in Hinterlands would be found in a similar manner."

"There's something else I remembered, Pumpkin King," Agatha said. "I sold Barrel some sundew sap last week, and some fog juice a little before that."

Jack's frown deepened. Sally had explained the forget-me-lot process on the way back to square. There was the proof that the trio was behind this. On hearing Barrel's name, the crowd started their murmuring again, a lot of it now mixed with anger as well as confusion. Of [i]course[/i] those three had something to do with it! Jack once more held up his hands for silence.

Agatha's mention of Barrel triggered something in one of the vampires.

"Shock was on Town Hall's roof on the day of the fog," he said. "I remember asking her what she was doing."

"Probably watching for the best time to strike," Jack said. "A trick of this magnitude would require a [i]lot[/i] of finesse and timing."

He crossed his arms.

"I can now say with confidence that Lock, Shock, and Barrel, at least, are behind this. Possibly Carver too. They tainted the fountain with fog juice laced with forget-me-lot dust, and changed the countdown clock. As to when Halloween [i]actually[/i] is...I suppose I'll have to ask them."