Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King

"The monster's gone without a trace, as it said," Autor says, gesturing to the unicycle tracks in the dirt. "While you were unconscious"--and the boy winces--"I threw a big rock in the hole where its face was, and that worked. Just like you said."

Then he straightens. "Santa has other people looking for him. You need to take it easy. You were knocked out! That's a big deal."