As soon as the invisibility potion wore off, Shock got to work quickly scoping out the house, particularly the staircase leading up to the tower, and a few key places up in the main room. As she suspected, Zero was home sleeping in his bed. A few treats, a few pets, and a promise that Jack was going to [i]love[/i] the "surprise" she was leaving him, and the ghost dog left her alone.

Well. Mostly. At least once he nudged her leg for another treat. Shock stumbled a bit. Zero [i]was[/i] stronger than he looked; the ghost dog probably didn't mean to push her hard enough to almost trip.

Shock worked quickly and carefully to set up trip wires, slime, paint on the banister, and all sorts of other little goodies for Jack to happen upon when he got back. Once in a while, she found her footing slipped, but there was always something nearby: a loose step, one of Zero's toys, her own backpack that she didn't put far enough away. Still, she continued undeterred.

It was almost ready.

~~~

Barrel took the rats he caught home and caged them in the kitchen, where they would stay until he was ready to cook them. Then he headed back to town with Carver. His mind was on getting a few small things that would fit in his hoodie pocket, then going back home to prepare dinner, when he saw Jack's gate, and remembered: right. Shock's trick.

Barrel glanced at the shadows from the fountain. It was a bit late for lunchtime, which meant Jack would probably be coming this way soon. He didn't even notice Agatha in the square due to the daytime monsters coming and going, only that there was a good spot at the fountain to sit for a moment and wait.

Actually...after all that running around catching rats and the trek home and back, he could use a drink. Barrel cupped his hands in the fountain to get some of the rejuvenating swamp water within.

~~~

Lock was sitting in the shadow of a large, distinct pile of pumpkins to wait for Lillith. He'd been thinking on the way here for a way to get back to the square and try to see Shock's trick. His tail flicked when he saw her.

"There's my she-beast," he said cheerfully.

He offered his arm.

"Hey - mind if we stop by the witches's shop real quick? I promised Shock I'd pick up some wormwood, and she'll kill me if I forget."