Dec. 20, 2025

Scary Christmas Stories: 7 Christmas Horror Tales to Ruin the Holidays

Scary Christmas Stories: 7 Christmas Horror Tales to Ruin the Holidays
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If you’re hunting for Christmas horror stories and scary Christmas stories that feel like a warm holiday glow… right before the lights go out—welcome to the final Xmas compilation of the year on the Weekly Spooky feed. Expect holiday horror, supernatural dread, and the kind of winter nightmares that make you double-check the chimney, the gift tags, and the shadows in the tree.

Inside this compilation:

• All I Want For Christmas - Is my Mother to Stop Haunting Me! — A family that “goes all in” on Christmas watches perfection turn deadly… and the afterlife refuses to take “no” for an answer.

• A Chain Letter Christmas — A curse that should’ve stayed buried gets reactivated with a Christmas card—and the target list is very, very personal.

• Secret Santa — Office holiday cheer curdles into obsession and violence when a “simple” gift exchange turns into a trap you can’t opt out of.

• Christmas Eve Babysitters — It’s Christmas Eve, you take the babysitting job… and you realize way too late you weren’t hired for your résumé—you were hired for what happens after midnight.

• Christmas at Murder Mansion — In Strickfield, Harpy’s just trying to survive the season… but the mall, the power players, and the grudges don’t take holidays off.

• Holiday Homecoming Hullabaloo — A long-overdue homecoming in late December carries old grief, old memories… and a feeling that home isn’t as safe as it’s supposed to be.

• A Sinister Santa Spectacle: Twisted Christmas Horrors — When Jack Scratch steps out from the Christmas tree like a ringmaster, you’re not watching a holiday display anymore—you’re part of the show.

Press play, turn the lights down, and make this your new end-of-year tradition: a Christmas horror anthology stuffed with dread instead of tinsel.

🎧 LISTEN NOW and subscribe for spine-tingling horror stories every week!

🎉 Unlock exclusive bonus episodes and support the show on Patreon!
👉 WeeklySpooky.com/Join

📬 Contact Us / Submit Your Horror Story!


🎵 Music by Ray Mattis 👉 Check out Ray’s incredible work here !
👨‍💼 Executive Producers: Rob Fields, Bobbletopia.com
🎥 Produced by: Daniel Wilder
🌐 Explore more terrifying tales at: WeeklySpooky.com
WEBVTT

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All right, my spooks, it's the final Christmas marathon of

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the year, or is it, And tonight we're unwrapping something special.

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Seven little gifts from the Weekly Spooky Vault, each one

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tied with a bow. Because here's the thing about the holidays.

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The lights look warmer when the dark is deeper, the

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carols sound prettier when you're not sure who's humming along,

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and every tradition secret Santa, a babysitting job on Christmas Eve,

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the perfect family dinner. The sentimental card in the mailbox

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has a shadow version of itself waiting to crawl out.

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When you're tired, snowed in and convinced you're safe out,

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pour the hot cocoa, check the locks, and if you

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hear something on the rooftop, go click click click. Don't

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get excited. Some of these stories have ghosts, some have curses,

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and some have a Santa shaped problem that doesn't care

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if you've been naughty or nice. So enjoy your holiday

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horror anthology, cozy, creepy, and mean spirited in the most

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festive way possible. Make sure you're subscribed for more brand

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new Christmas frights next week. So dim the lights and

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let that Christmas Tree take over. It's time to press

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play and open the first present. All I want for

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Christmas is my mother to stop haunting me. By Bruce Haney.

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The Holly family was big on Christmas. They celebrated all

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the major holidays enthusiastically, but Christmas was the one they

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went all in on. Carol Holly, the family's matriarch, was

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the big driving force for the entire family. She was

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the one who planned and organized their elaborate decorations that

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included a hundred rolls of lights and various inflatables, as

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well as a few classic blow mold decorations. She believed

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in the separation of the holiday, so when her children

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tried to convince her to put up one of those

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twelve foot skeletons with a Santa hat on it, she

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wouldn't have it. This love for the holiday and her

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striving for perfection were the thing that ended Carol's life.

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It happened on Christmas Eve, while the family was enjoying

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hot cocoa before taking their annual family life photo in

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front of the decorated house, The mother took one last

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look to ensure everything was just right. That was when

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she noticed that the Santa that was installed on the

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roof behind the chimney in order to look like he

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had just popped his head out, was slightly crooked. No, no,

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it's crooked. It's ruining the effect. Just give me one minute,

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she said. Before anyone could argue, she was already pulling

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out the ladder and climbing up on the roof like

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she had so many times before. It's fine, ma, let's

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just get the photo. It's cold out here, Paul, her

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oldest son, pleaded. Her response was to throw him a

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dirty look. The rest of her children, as well as

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her husband, let it go at that. They knew there

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was no sense in arguing. Paul was their oldest boy.

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At twenty seven years old, he was the assistant manager

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at their family's hardware store. His wife and kids were

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waiting inside until it was time for the extended family photo.

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Besides Paul, the children of Carol and Todd Hawley included

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Kyle and Melissa. Melissa was the youngest at twenty years old.

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She hadn't quite figured out what she wanted to do

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with her life. Her parents weren't happy when her gap

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year went from one to two. They were starting to

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suspect that she wouldn't go to college at all. Kyle

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was their youngest boy. He was twenty one and in

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college studying to be a dental hygienist. They were worried

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that his obnoxious personality might not be ideal for his

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chosen career path. When they heard Carol scream, they all

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looked up just in time to see her slipping. For

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a second, things seemed okay as she tried to grab

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the chimney for support, but instead of it stopping her,

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she fell inside head first. Oh no, Todd yelled and

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ran to the ladder to climb up. Paul followed him.

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Her screaming grew louder. Kyle pulled out his cellphone and

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dialed nine one one while Melissa ran inside. Within the house,

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she heard people screaming. When she entered the front room

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and saw that the fireplace was lit and saw her

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mother in flames hanging out the opening. She began to

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scream as well. Paul's wife, Amanda, ran to the kitchen

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to get water to try to put Carol out. By

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the time she got back, Grandpa Henry's screams intensified as

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his hands and arms were severely burnt from trying to

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pull his daughter Carol out of the chimney. She was

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wedged tight with only her head sticking out. Amanda threw

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the water on her to extinguish the flames, but it

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was obvious to everyone that she was already dead. The

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Holly House was just as decorated the following year, but

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something looked off. Their mother's touch was missing her eye

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for perfection. The strings of lights were up, but not

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pulled as tight as she would have The inflatables were

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all out, but not angled for the optimal view from

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the street. Inside, the family sat in the living room,

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listening to their mother's Christmas playlist, as they usually did

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after taking the family photo. Their mother wasn't the only

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one who was missed. Paul's wife and kids didn't come.

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They were too traumatized from the year before. Grandpa Henry

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had refused to ever step foot in the house again

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after watching his daughter burned to death. This year, the

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fireplace was left unlit, as it had been since that

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horrible night. The Hollies now exclusively relied on the heat

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from their HVAC system. Melissa flipped through the images of

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their little photo shoot on the back display of her

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canon eos while sucking on a large candy cane. The

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house looks like shit, Melissa said, while shaking her head. Melissa,

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Kyle said, and then looked at their father to gauge

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his reaction. She's right, your mother had the touch for

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making it look good. I can't tell you how many

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hours I've spent out there trying to get it to

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look just like she would have. Todd said, it did

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feel cereal when I pulled in. Kyle said, cereal. Paul asked, yeah,

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Kyle replied, then took his cell phone out. Dorkface. What

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is the definition of cereal? Then he covered his mouth slightly.

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I renamed my phone assistant to dorkface. Melissa gave him

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a sarcastic two thumbs up. Good evening, Kyle. The definition

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of surreal, according to Webster's Dictionary, is strange, not seeming real,

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like a dream. It's the correct usage, Kyle said. Paul

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ignored this. I just felt sad. I thought the house

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looked A clunking sound came from the chimney, stopping Paul

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mid sentence. What was that, Kyle asked, Probably some old

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soot or something. Melissa replied. They all listened intently for

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any other noise. If it wasn't for the Christmas songs

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playing on the smart speaker, it would have been complete silence.

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When a hand came out from the chimney choot, they

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all screamed. It was followed by another, and then ahead.

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The thing squeezed through and crawled out. Once it was

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on the floor, it stood up and smiled at them.

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Their screaming stopped as they were now in shock to

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see in front of them that it was their dead mother.

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Merry Christmas, Carol said. They didn't respond, so she added

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a happy Christmas Eve. The family still just stared. Well

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aren't you happy to see your mother on the eve

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of our favorite holiday? Carol asked. Her children and husband

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all asked questions, not giving her time to answer a

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single one of them. But you died, Kyle said, in

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that very spot, Melissa added, pointing to the fireplace. Did

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you go to heaven? Todd asked, Mom, what are you

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doing here? Paul choked out. The mother looked at the

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faces of her family before deciding on what to say.

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I'm here for the holidays, nothing less, nothing more. Carol

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smiled at her family and held out her arms for hugs.

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They all hesitated, but eventually they approached and hugged the

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dead matriarch. The Holly family listened to Christmas music, eate snacks,

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and caught their mother up on all the new things

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that had happened in their lives in the last year.

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Carol told them nothing about the afterlife. This cycle continued

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the next year as well. The whole family, including Paul's

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wife and kids, came this time. They all waited by

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the fireplace as those who were there argued about what

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time she appeared last year. It was nine pm. Melissa

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said it was eight forty five pm. Paul corrected he

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always thought he was right because he was the oldest.

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Paul's wife and children were trying to have an open mind,

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but they never believed Paul after he came home and

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told them that his mother had come back for Christmas. Regardless,

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they supported him and were there for him. Well, she

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did most of the supporting. The little ones were still

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kind of clueless as to what was happening. Their daughter, Layla,

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was only three when it happened. Amanda worried that the

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image of her grandma burning alive might just be her

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first memory. Their son Aiden was only one, so no

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fear there, but now that he was the one to

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turn three, could she be setting him up for a

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traumatic first memory as well? At eight forty five pm,

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they heard a noise coming from the chimney. Amanda looked

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at the fireplace nervous, while the rest of the family

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looked on with excitement. The mother came down and another

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great family Christmas happened. They caught her up on their

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lives and asked her about hers. Well, it's hard to explain,

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was what she would answer, most often, always being vague

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about what the afterlife was like. This year, they noticed

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that she was a bit confused, no longer remembering their

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lives in detail, and sometimes even mixing up her own

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children's names. The following year, when she came, they all

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had their usual fun, but the mood was different because

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she was even more confused, which led to an underlying

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frustration on her part. Noticing this, they decided not to

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let her avoid their questioning. This was their mother and

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they couldn't possibly let her suffer. What's going on, Paul asked,

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why do you seem off? Melissa added, Carol took in

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a deep breath. This takes a lot out of me.

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Each year that I return, I become a little more confused. Why,

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Kyle asked, why do you think I'm the only ghost

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you've ever seen? Why there aren't other beings like me everywhere?

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There is a huge cost to what I'm doing. Then

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you shouldn't do it, Kyle said, Mom, don't hurt yourself

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for us. It's not for you, dear, I wish it was.

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It's it's for me. I'm willing to give up my

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afterlife for more time with my family. She finally said it,

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something she promised she would never tell her family, but

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she was tired and her confusion was beginning to take

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such a hold that she even forgot she made that

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promise to herself. Todd, her husband, gave her a big

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hug and a fake smile. Why don't we all open presence?

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Carol's eyes lit up. It was always her favorite part

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seeing all her children and extended family smiling as they

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opened their gifts. The rest of the night was filled

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with joy, and that subject was not brought up again

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all year. Their mother's weakening state was the family's main discussion,

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so they planned to meet at the house on Hallowe

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night and try to change things and what if she

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is being truthful and she's trading her afterlife, Paul asked,

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I don't want to stop seeing mom. Melissa protested, but

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what if we are blessed enough to reach the afterlife

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when we pass and she's not there? Paul inquired. They

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all sat with this, So what is the plan if

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we go for it? Kyle Todd asked his youngest son. Okay,

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so I've been asking all the Wickan girls for advice

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at college, and they helped me figure out a plan.

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Kyle pulled out a notebook that had loose papers tucked

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in it. They don't believe me, though, So now all

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the cute goth chicks think I'm crazy? Does that hurt

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or help your chances? Melissa asked, hardy horror, Kyle quipped,

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then he thought for a second, Actually I'm not sure.

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Is Kyle's love life the most important thing to discuss

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right now? Todd asked, love life or lack thereof? Melissa joked, Melissa,

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stop teasing your brother, Todd scolded. The family helped in

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setting up the ritual. Black candles were lit and salt

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was placed, all the usual cliches. Are we sure we

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want to do this? Melissa? Asked, No, I don't want

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to do this, their father said. They all looked at

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him as if this was what they were all thinking too.

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But it is the right thing to do. She sacrificed

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her whole life for this family. We can't let her

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sacrifice her afterlife as well. I hate this, Paul said

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as he looked at his father. But you're right. Should

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we begin? Kyle asked, yes, Melissa, Paul, and Todd said

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in unison, Okay, take my hands. With the room lit

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only by the black candles, they began their ritual repeat

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after me, we are one, Kyle said, We are one.

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They all repeated. We seek the one we love. We

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seek the one we love, they repeated. Mother, come to

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us like you have in the past. Come to us.

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Let no time pass. It wasn't Kyle's borrowed magic that

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brought her back. It was their connection, the strength of

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their family bond. It was only moments after starting that

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the candles began to flicker and the ghost of their

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mother appeared. Unlike her usual holiday self, she came as

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a spirit loating above the table. What's wrong? Why have

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you called me? Mother? We aim to set you free,

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Kyle said. Then glanced at the rest of his family

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repeat after me, mother, you are free. Mother, you are free.

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His siblings and father repeated, you must not return to

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our plane. Kyle said, you must not return to our

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His family began to repeat, but stopped when their mother

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suddenly swiped at Kyle, scratching his face. You dare, after

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all I have done, try to get rid of me,

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she said. Then her eyes burst into flames as she

242
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looked upon the faces of her family. To her, they

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all looked evil. Kyle started again, You can't return to

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our plane. You can't return to our plane, the rest repeated.

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Then Kyle began to blow out the black candles. Carol

246
00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:17.279
floated higher above them, and the rest of her body

247
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burst into flames as he blew out the rest of

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the candles. You can't do this to your mother, she screamed.

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Kyle quickly blew out the last candle and she disappeared.

250
00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:41.920
That sucked, Kyle said, we did it. Paul added, that's

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what matters. Todd said, I hope by not coming back

252
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that her mind and soul is returned to what it

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used to be. Melissa said, can the soul heel? Kyle questioned,

254
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He looked for a response, but nobody answered. When Christmas came,

255
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the family gathered as they always did at the Holly House.

256
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There was talk about taking a family vacation and getting

257
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out of town instead, but with their busy lives, they

258
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never got it together. This year, they did make changes

259
00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:24.920
to the house, including replacing some of the older Christmas

260
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decorations with LEDs. Their mother had been talking about it

261
00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:32.839
for years, but she loved the look of the old

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incandescent bulbs too much to make the leap. Todd did it,

263
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mainly because he didn't want to troubleshoot the ancient bulbs.

264
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This year, the other big change was that Kyle got

265
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his way. They finally got one of those twelve foot

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tall skeletons, though their father insisted that it be fully christmasized.

267
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It had a Santa hat, a red coat, and a beard.

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Forty five PM. Like clockwork, she burst out of the chimney,

269
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looking more like she did during the seance. Flames now

270
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perpetually surrounded her, which made all her skin blacken and crack.

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Her lips and eyelids had burned away, causing her teeth

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and her eyes to be exposed. The mouth was ghoulish,

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but her eyes were even worse. They were charred, gibbous

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spheres that lost all their nuanced color, and all that

275
00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:38.680
was left were pale blue irises. If she wasn't a

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00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:42.480
spectral creature, you would wonder how she could be seeing

277
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anything at all. Her family wasn't there to greet her

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because they weren't expecting her this year. This added to

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00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:56.559
her anger, which increased as she flew through the house

280
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looking for them. Didn't they want to see her? When

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00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:05.039
she spotted her family outside through the front window, she

282
00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:09.160
saw that they were goofing around while taking the yearly

283
00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:15.400
family photo. This made her even angrier. How could they

284
00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:18.559
be happy and goofing around after what they did to me.

285
00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:22.359
Paul was trying to be in the spirit this year

286
00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:26.000
and was wearing a Santa hat. I can set the

287
00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:30.039
delay on the camera, Paul said, you're going to fuck

288
00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:34.599
it up. Melissa retorted, no, I'm not. You press the

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00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:37.079
button and run into the frame. How hard is it?

290
00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:40.519
Plus I'm the tallest, I have long legs to get

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00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:44.240
back the quickest. It gives you fifteen seconds and you're

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00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:47.039
ten feet away. I could do it with my short

293
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little legs, Kyle added. The mother flew out through the

294
00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:55.599
wall and into their Santa blow mold, possessing it. That

295
00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:58.400
piece was the first decoration that Todd and she had

296
00:22:58.440 --> 00:23:01.799
bought on their first cries Christmas before any of the

297
00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:06.839
children were around. Whatever, I'm already here. The button is pressed,

298
00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:10.400
Paul said, and then ran over to join his family.

299
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They all smiled and waited for the camera to go off.

300
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The mother was furious at how they could enjoy themselves

301
00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:23.480
on Christmas without her. The blow mold had no articulation,

302
00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:27.160
so she had to pivot back and forth to move

303
00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:31.519
the thing. It was dreadfully slow, but she was able

304
00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:34.400
to move it just enough to get into the frame

305
00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:38.480
of the photo. It was the last photo they would

306
00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:44.279
all ever take together. The picture went off, See easy,

307
00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:50.319
Paul said, sure it was. Melissa added, can we open

308
00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:55.559
presents now? Young Leyla asked, not yet, but we can

309
00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:58.799
go in and have hot chocolate, Paul told his child.

310
00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.119
Yay.

311
00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:04.079
Layla grabbed her younger brother's hand and ran towards the house.

312
00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:08.359
Amanda put her arm around her husband and then they followed.

313
00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:12.039
The Rest of the family did as well, except for

314
00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:16.960
the father. You coming, dad, Melissa asked, We're going to

315
00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:22.599
have hot chocolate in a minute, Todd said. Melissa shook

316
00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:29.720
her head in understanding, and left her father. Todd walked

317
00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:32.720
around for a bit, looking at the house and all

318
00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:39.400
the decorations. We did an okay job, right, Carol, he

319
00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:44.240
said to himself as he looked around. He eventually focused

320
00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:48.920
on the chimney where she had had her accident. I

321
00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:53.480
miss you, he said under his breath. Looking for a

322
00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:58.440
happier memory, he turned to observe their blow mold. As

323
00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:03.559
their oldest piece, it held the most memories. That was

324
00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:08.160
a decoration he could never replace. But it wasn't there.

325
00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:12.880
He knew the value had gone up on vintage blow molds,

326
00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:18.079
but he never thought someone would steal his. He looked around,

327
00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:22.920
hoping to see it elsewhere. The wind was known to

328
00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:28.319
move the lightweight thing. Then he saw it flying through

329
00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:32.160
the air at him. He tried to duck, but it

330
00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:36.480
was too late. There simply wasn't enough mass for the

331
00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:41.400
thing to kill him. But she got lucky When she

332
00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:44.599
hit him as hard as she did, he stumbled back

333
00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:49.200
and fell His head cracked open when it hit one

334
00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:53.720
of the cement steps leading to the house. She flew

335
00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:56.279
out of the blow mold letting it drop to the

336
00:25:56.279 --> 00:26:05.160
ground as she neared the house. In the kitchen, Paul

337
00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:07.920
was waiting for the kettle to heat up to make

338
00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:11.920
the hot chocolate. He had seven ceramic cups set out,

339
00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:15.799
one for each of them, not knowing that his father

340
00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:20.559
was now dead and would not be partaking. As he

341
00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:23.799
looked at the chrome kettle, he thought he saw someone

342
00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:28.079
behind it. He didn't turn around. They all had been

343
00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:30.720
a little on edge that night, and he thought it

344
00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:34.920
was just his nerves. Though they banished their mother's spirit

345
00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:39.000
to save her, they each secretly wished for her to

346
00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:43.720
come back. The thing in the reflection moved and he

347
00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:50.680
couldn't resist. He turned around, but nothing was there, Mom,

348
00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:56.839
Paul said. Behind him, he heard the familiar voice of

349
00:26:56.920 --> 00:27:02.599
the smart speaker playing Mom's Cris Smith's classic's playlist. Paul

350
00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:06.279
was excited to see his mother again, but then got

351
00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:10.000
a flash in his memory of Halloween and how mad

352
00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:15.039
she was. The kettle began to whistle. He looked at

353
00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:19.519
it and again saw her reflection, though this time she

354
00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:22.880
was closer and he could tell she was the version

355
00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:27.599
of her they saw it Halloween. Paul tensed up as

356
00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:30.720
he saw her moving towards him with her hand out.

357
00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:34.440
When she got to him, she swiped at his head,

358
00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:38.559
taking the Santa hat off of it. From the other room,

359
00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:43.880
Melissa yelled, Paul, the kettle's going off. Paul turned around

360
00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:47.880
just in time to see his mother, who was engulfed

361
00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:52.759
in flames, placed the hat on her head. How it

362
00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:57.200
and everything around her didn't catch fire, he didn't understand.

363
00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:05.720
How festive she said, you you look nice, Paul lied,

364
00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:11.960
ah Son, give me a hug. Paul backed away as

365
00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:15.240
she put her flaming arms out. He looked at her

366
00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:17.559
and saw that she was right up against the counter

367
00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:22.079
and not affecting it. So he thought maybe I could

368
00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:25.359
hug her and not burn. But it wasn't just the

369
00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:29.799
flames that made him hesitate. She was scary looking and

370
00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:35.799
she didn't appear friendly. Paul the kettle it's annoying, Kyle

371
00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:40.799
yelled from the front room. What's the matter, sweetie, she said,

372
00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:45.200
trying to give him due eyes, but without eyelids, she

373
00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:49.720
wasn't selling it well. But Paul never could refuse his mother,

374
00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:53.519
and so he went in for the hug. She held

375
00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:58.960
him tight, and he too, burst into flames. Her grip

376
00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:04.200
tightened as he screamed and flailed around. Amanda was the

377
00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:09.680
first one to enter the kitchen. Oh, my favorite daughter

378
00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:16.319
in law, Carol said, your only daughter in law, Amanda replied.

379
00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:21.480
Carol dropped her dead son's body to the floor. This

380
00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:27.240
initiated Amanda's fight or flight response. She screamed and ran

381
00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:31.240
back to the front room. In the front room, Melissa

382
00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:35.839
and Kyle were moving towards the kitchen. Melissa nervously chewed

383
00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:39.960
on her ever present at the holiday's candy cane. Amanda

384
00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:43.240
burst out of the kitchen and beelined to her children,

385
00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:48.119
whom she grabbed up one in each arm. In normal circumstances,

386
00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:51.119
Leah was getting a little too big to carry with

387
00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:56.519
one arm, but these were not normal circumstances. She's back.

388
00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:59.599
We've got to get the fuck out of here, she

389
00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:02.119
yell at them, and then ran out the front door,

390
00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:06.119
leaving their mother floated into the front room. As Amanda

391
00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:11.000
exited the house, Amanda wasn't her concern. She was here

392
00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:15.640
to punish her own children from outside. As they stared

393
00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:19.200
at the rotting, floating Santa hat wearing living corpse of

394
00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:23.279
their mother, they heard a car start. She looked towards

395
00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:27.160
the window and watched as the car dramatically sped backward

396
00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:31.240
into the street and then sped off. She looked back

397
00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:35.480
at Melissa and Kyle. Ah, isn't this nice? Just me

398
00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:40.960
and my children for Christmas? Well, what's left of them?

399
00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:45.359
Carol said. Melissa took out the candy cane she had

400
00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:50.359
been sucking on. What the fuck, Mom, what's going on?

401
00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:55.119
Why do you look like that, Kyle asked, because my

402
00:30:55.359 --> 00:31:00.799
ungrateful family tried to cast me out. That's not it

403
00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:05.359
at all. We were just Melissa began to say, but

404
00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:09.079
she was startled when Carol grabbed the large candy cane

405
00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:12.480
that she had been working on. Carol looked at it

406
00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:15.400
for a moment. In her hand, Melissa had worked a

407
00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:21.079
nice point into it. Melissa changed her approach. We are

408
00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:25.079
so glad to see you. Mother. Didn't I warn you

409
00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:30.359
if you keep eating these you're going to get a cavity? Sorry? Mom,

410
00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:34.960
you're right. Carol didn't respond to this in words. She

411
00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:37.960
cocked her arm that was holding the candy cane back

412
00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:43.119
and then thrust it towards Melissa. Though it was done

413
00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:46.960
in one quick movement, to Melissa, it felt like her

414
00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:51.480
life had entered slow motion. She watched in horror as

415
00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:55.039
the sharp end of the extra large candy cane moved

416
00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:59.759
towards her face, then made its way through her cornea pupil,

417
00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:05.039
and then the lens. This is when she started screaming,

418
00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:09.519
But those screams would end soon enough, as the candy

419
00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:14.759
cane continued through the eyeball, then through her brain before

420
00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:19.400
smashing into the back of her skull and shattering, leaving

421
00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:22.240
bits of candy cane that would have needed to be

422
00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:25.880
removed by a surgeon, except for the fact that any

423
00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:30.519
surgery at this point was useless because she was dead

424
00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:42.440
and then there was only one Carol said. Kyle didn't

425
00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:46.000
waste time with a response or trying to reason with her.

426
00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:50.119
He took off, running out the front door. She took

427
00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:53.920
a shortcut through a wall. She looked around the exterior

428
00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:57.039
of the house for what she could use to kill

429
00:32:57.119 --> 00:33:02.400
her ungrateful child. Perfect she thought when she saw it,

430
00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:06.200
she would use the thing that pissed her off the most.

431
00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:11.160
When she came back, that dumb twelve foot skeleton that

432
00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:15.160
they dressed as Santa. Kyle looked at his car and

433
00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:18.240
ran towards it, having to jump over the corpse of

434
00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:21.319
his father. When he got to the car, he checked

435
00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:27.039
for his keys. No keys, fuck, he yelled out loud,

436
00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:29.920
remembering that he had a bad habit of hanging up

437
00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:33.200
his keys whenever he was here, even though he hadn't

438
00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:37.119
lived at home in years. Kyle looked at her, now

439
00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:41.920
in giant skeleton form, then looked at the house and

440
00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:47.079
decided to just run. Kyle could run fast, but the

441
00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:51.839
gait of a twelve foot plastic skeleton was impressive. Though

442
00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:56.039
she moved slower, she was closing the gap. Kyle was

443
00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:59.119
nearly out of his mind, fearful and shocked at what

444
00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:03.519
had happened in his life. Running in fear and without looking,

445
00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:07.839
he ran into a group of carollers, knocking a few

446
00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:11.400
of them over. Hey, watch where you're going, one of

447
00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:16.239
them yelled, but he kept running. How rude, a woman said,

448
00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:22.239
kids today. Another replied, Then they all saw the skeleton

449
00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:27.639
and understood. They all screamed loud enough that the other

450
00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:31.719
neighbors started coming out of their houses. Luckily for them,

451
00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:35.480
Carol in skeleton form was on a mission, so she

452
00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:39.559
didn't attack any of them. Another fortunate thing for them

453
00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:43.199
was that her spirit inhabiting it did not add any

454
00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:47.679
weight to the plastic skeleton's mere ninety five pounds, so

455
00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:51.360
she did no permanent damage. As she stepped on the

456
00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:55.719
knocked over carrollers son, where are you going? My dear?

457
00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:59.400
It's Christmas? Don't you want to spend it with mommy?

458
00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:03.440
She asked as she chased her son and looked for

459
00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:07.199
something to murder him with. She didn't think her bare

460
00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:11.519
skeleton hands would be enough. She thought about throwing him,

461
00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:15.039
but was unsure of how successful that would be unless

462
00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:18.480
she had a good target. As she passed each yard,

463
00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:23.920
she looked engaged the murderability of the yard decorations, but

464
00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:27.639
was finding nothing. Most of the yards were filled with

465
00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:32.840
inflatable characters and light projectors. Finally she caught up to him.

466
00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:36.079
She came across a yard with a north pole sign

467
00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:40.199
that looked solid. In her rotted mind, she thought it

468
00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:44.639
would be perfect for punishing her youngest son. He screamed

469
00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:47.480
as she picked him up, and continued to scream as

470
00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:51.280
she threw him high in the air. The last thing

471
00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:55.840
he saw was his mother's smiling face. As his body

472
00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:59.679
landed on the metal north pole sign. It pierced his

473
00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:03.679
back and exited through his heart as he slid down

474
00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:07.880
to the ground. The jaw on the skeleton moved into

475
00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:19.000
a smile as she spoke, Now I have my family back. Epilogue.

476
00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:22.039
Kyle woke up in what appeared to be his family's

477
00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:25.679
living room with all his siblings. His dad was there,

478
00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:30.519
and so was his brother and sister. God, I just

479
00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:36.039
had the worst dream, Kyle said, Yeah, it's not a dream.

480
00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:40.559
Melissa replied, with the candy cane still sticking out of

481
00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:44.079
her eye. That's what I first thought when I woke

482
00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:49.760
up here too where dead? Paul sighed. He was as

483
00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:54.760
burnt as his mother. Their father got up. Let's not

484
00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:58.519
dwell on the bad. Let's just be thankful that we're

485
00:36:58.559 --> 00:37:03.679
finally together as a family. It's a real Christmas miracle,

486
00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:10.920
Melissa said. It's not ideal, but we will adapt. Todd reassured.

487
00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:14.719
Easy for you to say, you just have a bloody

488
00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:17.559
bump on your head. I have a candy cane stuck

489
00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:23.559
in my eye for eternity, Melissa retorted. Their mother walked

490
00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:27.280
into the room with a plate full of cookies. I

491
00:37:27.360 --> 00:37:31.519
don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry, my DearS.

492
00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:40.519
Are we back home, Kyle asked, no, Carol said, then

493
00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:48.599
where are we, Melissa asked, purgatory. Tod guessed, I still

494
00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:52.400
don't know. The important thing is that we're all together,

495
00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:57.719
Carol said, but I don't have my wife or kids.

496
00:37:58.599 --> 00:38:05.800
Paul said we could go get them. Carol said and laughed, No,

497
00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:10.280
that's okay. I would rather we not murder my family.

498
00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:16.360
Paul said, you sure. Kyle asked, yeah, it won't bother

499
00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:22.199
mom one bit. Melissa joked, stop it. Paul said, you're

500
00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:26.679
no fun. Kyle cackled, Oh, I'm no fun because I

501
00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:29.719
don't want to joke about killing my family. It's not

502
00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:34.480
a joke. She'd do it. Melissa laughed, lay off your mother.

503
00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:40.320
Todd said it's okay, it's okay, I have it coming,

504
00:38:41.239 --> 00:38:45.360
Carol said, wiping a tear from her eye, and so

505
00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:50.679
marked another Christmas with the Hollies. There were laughs, tears,

506
00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:56.840
and a lot of family bonding and just a few murders.

507
00:39:02.119 --> 00:39:12.079
A chain Letter Christmas by Rob Fields prologue. The man

508
00:39:12.280 --> 00:39:15.880
entered his study and opened the large, ancient leather bound

509
00:39:15.920 --> 00:39:20.119
book that rested on his desk. He opened the front

510
00:39:20.159 --> 00:39:25.360
cover and turned page after page until he finally found

511
00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:30.679
the spell that he was looking for. I've already utilized

512
00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:33.719
the chain curse and claimed the souls I needed to

513
00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:38.920
restore my youth. However, my revenge on the town elders

514
00:39:38.920 --> 00:39:45.679
who banished me from Strickfield long long ago is not complete.

515
00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:51.199
All in good time. Right now, my sole purpose is

516
00:39:51.280 --> 00:39:57.280
to destroy you, Charity Mirrn, You and you're accursed girlfriend

517
00:39:57.480 --> 00:40:02.519
found all of my chain letters and destroyed them. Oh

518
00:40:02.559 --> 00:40:05.119
but I have the perfect plan that will give the

519
00:40:05.159 --> 00:40:10.880
two of you a Christmas you won't soon forget. In fact, Charity,

520
00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:15.119
you and Micah are both at the top of my

521
00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:20.119
Christmas card list. The man chuckled as he presented the

522
00:40:20.159 --> 00:40:25.320
beautiful Christmas card to the ancient tome. After reading the spell,

523
00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:31.440
the card glowed brightly for a few moments and then stopped.

524
00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:37.719
It's done, the man said. He placed the card into

525
00:40:37.760 --> 00:40:41.320
the green envelope. He had learned that Charity would be

526
00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:45.039
attending a Christmas party with the Collins family she was

527
00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:49.159
living with. He knew exactly who to send the card

528
00:40:49.199 --> 00:41:00.960
to on Christmas Eve. Perspective, Charity Mirn, It's Christmas Eve,

529
00:41:01.760 --> 00:41:05.400
and so much has changed since that dreaded chain letter

530
00:41:05.480 --> 00:41:09.280
came into my life three years ago. Let's be honest, here.

531
00:41:09.800 --> 00:41:14.400
I've never forgotten what that horrible thing did. Many of

532
00:41:14.400 --> 00:41:18.320
my family members died that day, the day we all

533
00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:22.079
came to hear the curse from the chain letter. My

534
00:41:22.199 --> 00:41:26.599
relatives there hated me. They beat me up and wanted

535
00:41:26.639 --> 00:41:30.960
to follow the Chain Letter's persistent instructions to kill me.

536
00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:37.480
Even Micah was ordered to kill me. However, the chain

537
00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:42.119
Letter didn't win. I burned that a cursed letter, but

538
00:41:42.239 --> 00:41:45.000
the only way for me to truly end its curse

539
00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:51.519
was to commit suicide. I drank some really strong poison

540
00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:56.880
I found in a garage and died. The only thing

541
00:41:57.119 --> 00:42:01.800
was I didn't stay dead. I came back to life

542
00:42:01.800 --> 00:42:06.280
at Strickfield General Hospital. I learned later that my girlfriend,

543
00:42:06.320 --> 00:42:10.400
Micah Collins, broke into the house the garage was connected

544
00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:13.679
to and called nine one one. I was rushed to

545
00:42:13.719 --> 00:42:17.159
the hospital. The poison couldn't be pumped out of my

546
00:42:17.239 --> 00:42:20.960
stomach since it was completely wrecked, but I came back

547
00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:27.119
to life just the same, fully restored. Even to this day,

548
00:42:27.199 --> 00:42:33.039
I still don't know why. Also, I've never felt quite

549
00:42:33.119 --> 00:42:36.480
the same. I always feel like I've got lots and

550
00:42:36.599 --> 00:42:41.280
lots of energy. From that point until today, I kept

551
00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:45.880
looking in the mirror. I still look the same, but

552
00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:50.280
I just know something's not right with me. All I

553
00:42:50.360 --> 00:42:55.320
remember is that I died. There's no coming back from

554
00:42:55.400 --> 00:42:59.519
death right. The poison I drank that day was lethal.

555
00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:04.800
I literally felt my stomach coming apart. I literally felt

556
00:43:04.800 --> 00:43:10.400
myself fall on my back, die and leave my body.

557
00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:15.480
The next thing I knew, I had awakened at Strickfield General.

558
00:43:16.760 --> 00:43:20.519
One thing's for sure, I haven't turned to evil or

559
00:43:20.800 --> 00:43:24.599
anything like that. No sooner was I able to leave

560
00:43:24.639 --> 00:43:28.119
the hospital and return home with Micah. I went back

561
00:43:28.119 --> 00:43:32.519
to being me again. People still call me the one

562
00:43:32.559 --> 00:43:37.039
good Miran here in Strickfield. Even today, I still have

563
00:43:37.159 --> 00:43:40.320
relatives who hate me with everything they have to offer,

564
00:43:40.840 --> 00:43:44.719
whether they live in the gated community or not. Even

565
00:43:44.760 --> 00:43:48.320
when I'd pass my own parents in downtown village, they

566
00:43:48.360 --> 00:43:52.000
would scowl at me. Not only do they hate seeing

567
00:43:52.039 --> 00:43:55.960
my name and photographs in the Strickfield Journal, they also

568
00:43:56.079 --> 00:44:00.400
hate that I'm in a deeply committed relationship with another woman.

569
00:44:01.400 --> 00:44:04.840
I'll get to that. I've helped raise all kinds of

570
00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:08.880
money to help different charities. I volunteer my time at

571
00:44:08.920 --> 00:44:12.280
blood drives. I even help out at the Strickfield nursing

572
00:44:12.320 --> 00:44:16.239
home when I can spare time. Also, Micah is my

573
00:44:16.320 --> 00:44:19.119
partner in all of these things. She even helped me

574
00:44:19.239 --> 00:44:22.360
raise money to save the Strickfield Drive in theater and

575
00:44:22.480 --> 00:44:25.719
help keep it open for years to come. Why do

576
00:44:25.800 --> 00:44:29.440
I want to help people so much? Let's just say

577
00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:33.599
I'm a strong believer in God. I've read the Bible

578
00:44:33.639 --> 00:44:36.719
from cover to cover many times, but I think it

579
00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:39.800
was the stories of Jesus Christ that inspired me back

580
00:44:39.840 --> 00:44:43.239
when I was just a little girl. I never went

581
00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:46.239
to Strickfield Academy, but I think I might have fit

582
00:44:46.360 --> 00:44:51.800
in better there than at Strickfield High Anyway, Jesus inspired

583
00:44:51.840 --> 00:44:54.960
me with his miracles and teachings. But I think the

584
00:44:55.039 --> 00:44:57.599
thing he said that still makes me cry to this

585
00:44:57.760 --> 00:45:01.239
day when I read it was just on thirteen thirty

586
00:45:01.280 --> 00:45:05.920
four a new command. I give you love one another

587
00:45:06.440 --> 00:45:09.599
as I have loved you, so you must love one another.

588
00:45:10.519 --> 00:45:14.559
And yet I'm still persecuted and punished for it by

589
00:45:14.559 --> 00:45:18.239
my own family. I'm a Miran, and I'm supposed to

590
00:45:18.400 --> 00:45:21.760
use what are called the Mirran ways to obtain power

591
00:45:21.840 --> 00:45:25.480
and wealth. Quite honestly, I don't think I was listening

592
00:45:25.840 --> 00:45:29.480
when my parents tried teaching me those things. When I

593
00:45:29.519 --> 00:45:32.559
heard Mom say that as Mirans, we're better than all

594
00:45:32.599 --> 00:45:36.320
those people outside the gate, I knew this wasn't what

595
00:45:36.440 --> 00:45:40.800
God wanted. Even now, I'm standing in the south window

596
00:45:40.840 --> 00:45:45.199
at the Collins House and looking up, it's Christmas Eve.

597
00:45:45.320 --> 00:45:49.199
Like I said, every day, I pray and ask God

598
00:45:49.679 --> 00:45:53.559
why I was brought back to life. I keep asking God,

599
00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:56.480
if he was the one who sent me back, does

600
00:45:56.519 --> 00:45:59.280
he have more work for me to do here? Did

601
00:45:59.360 --> 00:46:03.719
God feel it just wasn't my time? Then I feel

602
00:46:03.760 --> 00:46:07.840
Micah's hands on my shoulders. I turned to face her,

603
00:46:08.800 --> 00:46:15.239
my eyes streaming tears. Oh honey, Micah pulls me into

604
00:46:15.239 --> 00:46:19.360
her arms and lets me cry. I gently hold the

605
00:46:19.400 --> 00:46:23.039
love of my life to me. Honestly, I think I'd

606
00:46:23.039 --> 00:46:27.239
feel quite lost without her. For one thing, Micah's family

607
00:46:27.280 --> 00:46:29.960
took me in and let me live with them when

608
00:46:30.000 --> 00:46:33.440
mine threw me out. I came to fall in love

609
00:46:33.480 --> 00:46:36.960
with Micah, but I'd always kept my feelings to myself.

610
00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:41.039
Then that damn chain letter brought my feelings for her out.

611
00:46:42.119 --> 00:46:45.239
As it turned out, she reciprocated my love for her.

612
00:46:46.360 --> 00:46:50.559
Even today, we're still together. We kept our relationship quiet

613
00:46:50.559 --> 00:46:54.039
for a little while Micah eventually confided in me that

614
00:46:54.119 --> 00:46:56.360
she didn't want to lie to her parents about us,

615
00:46:56.920 --> 00:46:59.320
so I agreed that it was best to tell them

616
00:46:59.719 --> 00:47:03.719
the truth was they kind of already knew. Micah and

617
00:47:03.760 --> 00:47:07.119
I weren't paying attention, but her parents saw us holding

618
00:47:07.199 --> 00:47:12.920
hands many times, fingers laced. I expected to be homeless again,

619
00:47:13.119 --> 00:47:19.000
but the Collins are such good people. What's wrong? Micah whispers,

620
00:47:20.039 --> 00:47:23.480
I just can't stop feeling these feelings. I whispered back,

621
00:47:24.440 --> 00:47:28.320
why did I return from the dead, Micah? She squeezes

622
00:47:28.360 --> 00:47:31.679
me a little. I'm so sorry. I wish there was

623
00:47:32.079 --> 00:47:35.360
something I could say or do to help you. Now

624
00:47:35.400 --> 00:47:39.559
I face her, it's not fair to you. She shakes

625
00:47:39.559 --> 00:47:44.199
her head slowly. I get to decide that charity. You

626
00:47:44.280 --> 00:47:47.079
and me are life partners. We're always there for each

627
00:47:47.119 --> 00:47:50.400
other always. There's nothing you could say to me that's

628
00:47:50.440 --> 00:47:53.559
going to make me break up with you. I sniffle,

629
00:47:54.840 --> 00:47:59.199
But you've had to deal with me since. Micah pecks

630
00:47:59.199 --> 00:48:03.360
my lips. You and me are life partners. I'll always

631
00:48:03.400 --> 00:48:05.400
be here for you the way you'll always be here

632
00:48:05.400 --> 00:48:09.639
for me. Micah and I haven't gotten married or taken

633
00:48:09.679 --> 00:48:13.960
any kind of vows to say we're life partners. We

634
00:48:14.239 --> 00:48:18.800
just more or less transitioned into that. You could even

635
00:48:18.880 --> 00:48:22.360
call us soulmates. We both know we can never be

636
00:48:22.519 --> 00:48:27.079
without each other. You're going to be okay? Micah asks,

637
00:48:27.960 --> 00:48:30.079
or should I tell my parents we're not going to

638
00:48:30.119 --> 00:48:34.159
the family Christmas party tonight. I ease myself away from

639
00:48:34.159 --> 00:48:38.320
Micah and pull some tissues out of the box. No,

640
00:48:38.559 --> 00:48:41.000
I know you and your parents always look forward to

641
00:48:41.039 --> 00:48:44.679
the family party every Christmas Eve. I won't ruin that

642
00:48:45.480 --> 00:48:49.440
this will be my third Christmas with Micah's family. This

643
00:48:49.519 --> 00:48:52.559
will be my third family Christmas party I'll be attending.

644
00:48:53.400 --> 00:48:57.280
Even the family members there know about Micah and I also.

645
00:48:57.880 --> 00:49:00.440
You'd have thought Micah's parents would have wanted us both

646
00:49:00.480 --> 00:49:04.079
out of the house once we matriculated to Strickfield University,

647
00:49:04.920 --> 00:49:06.880
but they told us we could stay at the house

648
00:49:06.920 --> 00:49:09.119
and not have to pay the extra fees that come

649
00:49:09.199 --> 00:49:13.440
with a dorm room and doing laundry. As I finished

650
00:49:13.519 --> 00:49:17.000
drying my eyes, Micah's parents are calling up to us.

651
00:49:17.679 --> 00:49:21.159
Let's go, love, Micah tells me. I let her take

652
00:49:21.199 --> 00:49:25.159
my hand. Together we walk downstairs. Then I see the

653
00:49:25.199 --> 00:49:28.079
living room with the brightly lit Christmas tree and all

654
00:49:28.119 --> 00:49:31.159
the presents. I want to cry again when I know

655
00:49:31.280 --> 00:49:34.760
I've got presents under there for Micah's parents too. I've

656
00:49:34.800 --> 00:49:38.840
even made some contributions to that tree. Micah and I

657
00:49:38.920 --> 00:49:43.039
help carry other presents to the suv. Soon we're on

658
00:49:43.119 --> 00:49:46.360
our way to the north side of Strickfield, where Micah's

659
00:49:46.400 --> 00:49:51.800
other relatives live. When we get to the gathering, we

660
00:49:51.840 --> 00:49:54.320
can see plenty of cars in the cul de sac.

661
00:49:55.239 --> 00:49:59.880
Usually other houses here are having Christmas Eve gatherings too. Mike,

662
00:50:00.079 --> 00:50:03.239
his dad, finds a good spot from there. We get

663
00:50:03.280 --> 00:50:07.159
out and get the presence in back. Micah's relatives are

664
00:50:07.239 --> 00:50:10.079
quick to open the door, glad to see you all.

665
00:50:10.519 --> 00:50:14.039
The man calls out, glad to see you too, Uncle Wade.

666
00:50:14.719 --> 00:50:19.719
Micah calls back. Wade Collins even acknowledges me, glad you

667
00:50:19.719 --> 00:50:22.760
could make it back charity. As soon as we all

668
00:50:22.760 --> 00:50:26.239
go inside, Wade's wife, Mave, is there to give me

669
00:50:26.320 --> 00:50:29.000
a hug. When I set the presents i'm holding down.

670
00:50:29.960 --> 00:50:32.639
Thank you so much for that fundraiser you organized for

671
00:50:32.719 --> 00:50:37.079
the fire department. Mave squeezes me a little tighter. If

672
00:50:37.119 --> 00:50:39.000
it wasn't for you, my husband would be out of

673
00:50:39.039 --> 00:50:43.280
a job. When Mave lets me go. I nod an acknowledgment.

674
00:50:44.000 --> 00:50:47.880
Micah helped too. It feels awkward to be among this.

675
00:50:48.079 --> 00:50:51.880
Many of Micah's family The first year, they just knew

676
00:50:51.920 --> 00:50:55.880
I was living with Micah. These last two years, everybody

677
00:50:55.960 --> 00:51:00.719
here knows Micah and I are together. Seeing her family

678
00:51:00.840 --> 00:51:04.559
makes me wish my own family was like hers. It

679
00:51:04.679 --> 00:51:07.719
still hurts knowing I was thrown away by my parents

680
00:51:07.760 --> 00:51:13.079
for being kind hearted. What's more, many of my other

681
00:51:13.159 --> 00:51:15.719
family members go out of their way to chastise me

682
00:51:15.840 --> 00:51:18.880
for it. I do have a few of my cousins

683
00:51:18.920 --> 00:51:22.920
who are on my side, though mostly Felicia. I just

684
00:51:23.000 --> 00:51:27.480
want to do right by people and by God. What's

685
00:51:27.559 --> 00:51:32.239
so wrong with that? As for the other people here

686
00:51:32.280 --> 00:51:36.960
at the gathering, Wade and May's three kids are here, Beth, John,

687
00:51:37.039 --> 00:51:41.199
and Nellie, who all go to Strickfield High. There's also

688
00:51:41.239 --> 00:51:45.880
another Collins family here, Wade's brother Charles and his wife Claire.

689
00:51:46.559 --> 00:51:50.599
They have two boys, Steven Zane. I think Micah said

690
00:51:50.679 --> 00:51:55.000
something about them going to Strickfield Academy. It takes a

691
00:51:55.000 --> 00:51:57.199
little bit for us to break the ice, like every

692
00:51:57.280 --> 00:52:01.000
Christmas Eve. Then I remember how Steve Inzane make it

693
00:52:01.039 --> 00:52:04.360
a point to avoid Micah and I. In fact, the

694
00:52:04.400 --> 00:52:08.360
two of them hugged us, both begrudgingly. I suppose it

695
00:52:08.400 --> 00:52:11.320
would be one thing if they weren't comfortable hugging or

696
00:52:11.360 --> 00:52:15.440
shaking hands with people, but Micah and I both noticed

697
00:52:15.480 --> 00:52:20.440
they only seemed to be reluctant around us. Well, it

698
00:52:20.440 --> 00:52:22.440
wouldn't be the first time Micah and I have had

699
00:52:22.519 --> 00:52:26.199
to deal with a little homophobia. We're all chatting it

700
00:52:26.280 --> 00:52:29.960
up with everybody. Mave usually likes having me help her

701
00:52:30.000 --> 00:52:33.159
out in the kitchen. I've kind of gotten the vibe

702
00:52:33.199 --> 00:52:36.800
from her. She feels sorry for me for being banished

703
00:52:36.920 --> 00:52:40.760
from my own family. Anyway, the two of us are

704
00:52:40.760 --> 00:52:43.880
putting the finishing touches on the platters of meat and

705
00:52:44.000 --> 00:52:48.159
finger foods. Mayve Sure makes lots and lots of cookies,

706
00:52:48.599 --> 00:52:53.199
among other things. As soon as everything's put out, Mave

707
00:52:53.280 --> 00:52:56.320
announces that everybody can come into the dining room and

708
00:52:56.360 --> 00:52:59.760
help themselves. When the line's down enough to where I

709
00:52:59.800 --> 00:53:02.440
can and get food, I pick up a paper plate

710
00:53:02.800 --> 00:53:06.360
and start making my way down. It's then when Zay

711
00:53:06.599 --> 00:53:10.599
comes and cuts in. As I'm stepping aside, his hand

712
00:53:10.599 --> 00:53:13.639
shoots up and knocks my plate out of my hands.

713
00:53:14.320 --> 00:53:17.960
Watch where you're going, He snaps, I don't want to

714
00:53:18.000 --> 00:53:21.320
get cross with anybody here. Then I'm quick to learn

715
00:53:21.400 --> 00:53:24.880
I don't have to. Micah quickly comes to my side.

716
00:53:25.440 --> 00:53:29.440
Back off, Zain. Hey, your little girly friend there should

717
00:53:29.440 --> 00:53:34.039
watch where she's going. He sneers. Micah doesn't back down.

718
00:53:34.840 --> 00:53:37.360
You got something you want to say to me? To us.

719
00:53:38.280 --> 00:53:40.960
I quickly move and get in between them. Both of

720
00:53:41.000 --> 00:53:45.920
you stop, it's Christmas. Zayin shoves me away. Don't you

721
00:53:46.039 --> 00:53:50.639
ever touch me. I can see Micah's upset now. Just

722
00:53:50.719 --> 00:53:54.840
as she's ready to get confrontational again, Wade approaches us.

723
00:53:55.440 --> 00:53:58.800
He's quick to give Zay a hard time. You and

724
00:53:58.840 --> 00:54:01.840
Steve can't be civil in my house, then I guess

725
00:54:01.840 --> 00:54:05.519
you can both leave. Also as long as charities with Micah,

726
00:54:05.840 --> 00:54:08.880
she's part of this family. You don't like it, He

727
00:54:08.960 --> 00:54:12.440
points to it. There's the door. Don't let it hit

728
00:54:12.519 --> 00:54:15.599
you in the ass on your way out. Zain finally

729
00:54:15.719 --> 00:54:19.480
backs off. It doesn't take long for his brother, Steve

730
00:54:19.639 --> 00:54:24.280
to give us mean looks too. Unfortunately, the brother's homophobia

731
00:54:24.360 --> 00:54:28.400
is petty compared to what's about to happen. Many of

732
00:54:28.480 --> 00:54:30.559
us are sitting in the living room and chatting with

733
00:54:30.599 --> 00:54:34.559
other family members. Eventually, Zayin comes into the room with

734
00:54:34.639 --> 00:54:38.360
a green envelope in his hand. Then he sits down

735
00:54:38.440 --> 00:54:43.079
and opens what looks like a Christmas card. Hey, what

736
00:54:43.159 --> 00:54:46.920
the hell is this? He mutters. Then he stands up

737
00:54:46.960 --> 00:54:51.159
and reads what the card says. Happy Holidays to you

738
00:54:51.199 --> 00:54:54.559
and yours alike. And now that you've received this card,

739
00:54:55.119 --> 00:54:59.559
you are now all bound. You, the holder, shall first

740
00:54:59.599 --> 00:55:03.320
be a pointed a task. Failure to execute the task

741
00:55:03.719 --> 00:55:09.519
will result in certain death just in time for Christmas.

742
00:55:10.320 --> 00:55:14.679
Upon successful completion of your task, you are free until

743
00:55:14.679 --> 00:55:19.280
you are called upon to do another task. Oh please,

744
00:55:19.719 --> 00:55:24.360
Dear God. No, Micah and I had been very careful

745
00:55:24.400 --> 00:55:28.239
to either not open any suspicious looking mail or be

746
00:55:28.400 --> 00:55:32.800
around others when they're opening mail. I don't know about Micah,

747
00:55:32.960 --> 00:55:35.760
but I have no doubt that whoever sent that chain

748
00:55:35.880 --> 00:55:39.280
letter to me three years ago deliberately sent this new

749
00:55:39.320 --> 00:55:43.159
one here, knowing Micah and I would both witness it.

750
00:55:44.039 --> 00:55:47.559
As Micah and I are both looking fearfully at each other,

751
00:55:48.360 --> 00:55:51.920
Zaying gets a text on his smartphone. He pulls it

752
00:55:51.960 --> 00:55:55.880
out and looks at it. Throw your drink in someone's face?

753
00:55:56.960 --> 00:56:03.280
He starts looking around. Okay, who's playing here? When nobody answers,

754
00:56:03.320 --> 00:56:07.400
he laughs a little. Oh, I get it. That cards

755
00:56:07.480 --> 00:56:11.840
one of those chain letters people talk about around Strickfield. Okay,

756
00:56:11.880 --> 00:56:15.599
I'll bite. Without warning, Zaye picks up his cup of

757
00:56:15.639 --> 00:56:19.840
soda and throws it right in my face. You bastard.

758
00:56:20.360 --> 00:56:24.000
Micah yells she's ready to hit him, but I quickly

759
00:56:24.039 --> 00:56:29.320
stop her. Micah, no, please don't this time. Micah's dad

760
00:56:29.400 --> 00:56:33.760
is right there. You better back off of Charity right now.

761
00:56:34.760 --> 00:56:38.480
Zain seems ready to fight back, but then someone else

762
00:56:38.519 --> 00:56:43.320
gets a text. It's Steve. I just got something from

763
00:56:43.360 --> 00:56:47.880
an unknown sender saying I gotta punch someone in this room.

764
00:56:49.039 --> 00:56:51.719
Without a second thought, I get up and go right

765
00:56:51.800 --> 00:56:57.239
to Steve. Do it, punch me. Micah's right there, Charity,

766
00:56:57.280 --> 00:57:00.800
what are you doing. I'm still looking right at Steve.

767
00:57:01.559 --> 00:57:04.519
If you don't do it, you'll die. Please punch me.

768
00:57:05.880 --> 00:57:09.199
Steve rolls his eyes and then shoves me. Get out

769
00:57:09.199 --> 00:57:12.559
of my face, you stupid dyke. When I fall on

770
00:57:12.639 --> 00:57:16.480
my rear, Micah comes and helps me up. I'm ready

771
00:57:16.480 --> 00:57:18.280
to go back to Steve to get him to carry

772
00:57:18.320 --> 00:57:24.960
out his task. Suddenly his head explodes. Everybody screams as

773
00:57:25.000 --> 00:57:29.440
the entire living room is a huge mess. Now what

774
00:57:29.480 --> 00:57:33.719
the fuck? Zane yells. After Steve's body falls to the floor,

775
00:57:34.480 --> 00:57:38.280
Blood starts pouring out of the bodies open neck. I

776
00:57:38.360 --> 00:57:41.119
quickly pick up the Christmas card and throw it into

777
00:57:41.159 --> 00:57:45.119
the fireplace. I know destroying the card won't stop the

778
00:57:45.199 --> 00:57:48.719
curse that's found its way into this house, but at

779
00:57:48.800 --> 00:57:51.880
least nobody else has to read it and become infected

780
00:57:52.000 --> 00:57:57.239
by its evil. Charlie, Zane and Steve's dad moved to

781
00:57:57.320 --> 00:58:02.559
the window. Who did this? Who shot my son? I

782
00:58:02.679 --> 00:58:07.440
moved to him. Nobody shot your son, sir. He turns

783
00:58:07.480 --> 00:58:11.440
and grabs me. How do you even know? I point

784
00:58:11.440 --> 00:58:15.800
to the window. For one thing, The windows aren't broken. Also,

785
00:58:16.320 --> 00:58:22.480
we didn't hear any gunshots. I sigh. Steve died because

786
00:58:22.519 --> 00:58:24.760
he didn't do the task he was supposed to do.

787
00:58:25.960 --> 00:58:29.400
Charlie shoves me away. Now what are you talking about?

788
00:58:29.960 --> 00:58:33.239
He points right at me. You better start coming clean

789
00:58:33.440 --> 00:58:38.360
right now? Did my son die because of you? I

790
00:58:38.480 --> 00:58:43.840
close my eyes and sigh. He might have. Then Wade

791
00:58:43.880 --> 00:58:48.079
approaches me. You know something about what just happened, Charity.

792
00:58:49.199 --> 00:58:52.079
I can't lie to them. I come into the center

793
00:58:52.159 --> 00:58:56.159
of the room and explain everything. It's only going to

794
00:58:56.159 --> 00:58:58.639
be a matter of time before one of us gets

795
00:58:58.639 --> 00:59:01.960
another chain letter command, and if you don't obey it,

796
00:59:02.840 --> 00:59:08.079
you'll die, just like Steve I finish. It's not long

797
00:59:08.199 --> 00:59:13.239
before we hear another texting alert. It's on Maeve's phone.

798
00:59:13.320 --> 00:59:17.679
She looks at it and then gasps, tell everyone in

799
00:59:17.679 --> 00:59:21.760
the house about the worst thing you've ever done. Then

800
00:59:21.960 --> 00:59:25.679
she looks at me in utter horror. If you don't

801
00:59:25.679 --> 00:59:33.039
do it, you'll die, I remind her, but Maeve chokes out.

802
00:59:33.519 --> 00:59:37.440
She's really hesitant to say. What that one big skeleton

803
00:59:37.480 --> 00:59:42.519
in her closet is, aunt, Mave. If you didn't kill somebody,

804
00:59:42.559 --> 00:59:48.000
then you'll be okay. Micah tells her, just come out

805
00:59:48.000 --> 00:59:52.679
with it. Mave shakes her head quickly. No, I can't.

806
00:59:53.320 --> 00:59:55.519
I quickly grab Mavee and look her in the face.

807
00:59:56.000 --> 00:59:59.199
If you don't tell, you'll die. Is your secret worth

808
00:59:59.199 --> 01:00:05.760
your own life? You don't understand charity, Micah. Mave yells,

809
01:00:06.280 --> 01:00:12.719
I did a terrible thing, a very terrible thing. Then

810
01:00:12.880 --> 01:00:20.280
Mave starts gasping for breath. No, no, I'll, I'll, I'll tell. Clearly,

811
01:00:20.360 --> 01:00:24.599
the chain letter curse was starting to kill Mave. When

812
01:00:24.639 --> 01:00:27.920
Mave can breathe again, she turns to her husband and

813
01:00:28.000 --> 01:00:31.960
tells Wade that she was having an affair with Charlie

814
01:00:32.159 --> 01:00:35.599
just after they got married. She says that it was

815
01:00:35.719 --> 01:00:39.880
many times. She doesn't know why she did it, but

816
01:00:40.000 --> 01:00:43.920
she knew once she started that she couldn't stop. She

817
01:00:43.960 --> 01:00:48.159
assures Wade she hadn't been with Charlie in years. Once

818
01:00:48.239 --> 01:00:52.559
she finishes, nothing else happens to her. I think it's

819
01:00:52.599 --> 01:00:57.440
safe to say she finished her task. Wade is pissed now.

820
01:00:58.199 --> 01:01:01.719
Then he turns to me. How come you know so

821
01:01:01.840 --> 01:01:05.079
much about all of this charity? Do you have something

822
01:01:05.119 --> 01:01:09.079
to do with it? I explain to everybody about how

823
01:01:09.159 --> 01:01:12.199
Monica and I got caught in a cursed chain letter

824
01:01:12.280 --> 01:01:16.440
three years ago and what happened. I think whoever sent

825
01:01:16.480 --> 01:01:19.639
that cursed Christmas card here knew Micah and I would

826
01:01:19.639 --> 01:01:24.360
be coming here today. Wade points to the door. Then

827
01:01:24.719 --> 01:01:29.119
maybe you and Micah should just both get out. We

828
01:01:29.239 --> 01:01:32.440
could do that, sir, but it won't stop the curse.

829
01:01:32.840 --> 01:01:35.760
Since Zayne read the card where everybody could hear him.

830
01:01:36.239 --> 01:01:40.920
I explain, we're all bound by the curse. Now, it's

831
01:01:40.960 --> 01:01:44.920
not long before Nellie gets a text. She looks at it.

832
01:01:46.119 --> 01:01:50.679
No way, I'm doing this. What's it say? Nellie John

833
01:01:50.719 --> 01:01:55.360
demands no, no, I won't do it. Nellie yells, Then

834
01:01:55.480 --> 01:01:59.239
she throws the phone away. Micah quickly retrieves it and

835
01:01:59.280 --> 01:02:04.519
reads it. Then she says to me, Nelly has to

836
01:02:04.639 --> 01:02:09.000
kill somebody in this house. You'll die if you don't.

837
01:02:09.519 --> 01:02:13.920
Beth tells her you heard what Charity said. Nelly has

838
01:02:13.920 --> 01:02:17.440
a frantic look on her face. I'm not a murderer, Beth.

839
01:02:17.719 --> 01:02:22.199
I can't kill anybody. Zay grabs someone else's knife and

840
01:02:22.239 --> 01:02:25.440
comes right at me. I'll do it, then, I point

841
01:02:25.440 --> 01:02:28.760
at Zain, it's not your task. If you stab me,

842
01:02:28.800 --> 01:02:32.440
then you'll die anyway. Not only that, you might also

843
01:02:32.559 --> 01:02:37.280
kill Nelly since she didn't complete her task. Don't care, bitch,

844
01:02:37.719 --> 01:02:41.000
Zaine yells, my brother's dead because of you. I think

845
01:02:41.000 --> 01:02:45.079
it's only fair you die too. Suddenly, Nelly jumps on

846
01:02:45.199 --> 01:02:49.519
Zaye's back. Stop at you, bastard. Leave Charity alone. This

847
01:02:49.760 --> 01:02:54.800
isn't her fault. Zain tries to shake Nelly off. Micah

848
01:02:54.840 --> 01:02:58.039
and I try to break things up. Zain manages to

849
01:02:58.039 --> 01:03:01.320
break loose and get his knife back. Now he's looking

850
01:03:01.360 --> 01:03:05.760
to stab her. He roars and runs at Nelly. Without

851
01:03:05.800 --> 01:03:08.840
thinking twice about it, I hurry in between them. No.

852
01:03:09.679 --> 01:03:12.800
I barely hear Micah cry out. Zain and I are

853
01:03:12.840 --> 01:03:16.280
both looking at each other. Now I know he's stabbed me.

854
01:03:17.079 --> 01:03:19.199
The pain in the pit of my stomach is bad,

855
01:03:19.480 --> 01:03:23.000
and I can feel I'm bleeding out fast. Suddenly I

856
01:03:23.079 --> 01:03:27.119
fall to my knees and am quickly on my back. No,

857
01:03:28.440 --> 01:03:31.880
I hear Micah scream. Then she's right there to shove

858
01:03:31.960 --> 01:03:40.360
Zaine away. You goddamn bastard, Micah. I call out. Micah

859
01:03:40.400 --> 01:03:45.960
forgets Zayne and comes to me. Charity, No, no, please, No,

860
01:03:47.599 --> 01:03:51.599
Zaine fatally stabbed me. I can feel my life ebbing

861
01:03:51.639 --> 01:03:56.199
away with each passing second. I manage to look at Zain.

862
01:03:57.360 --> 01:04:03.360
I I forgive you. Then I look up at Micah

863
01:04:03.719 --> 01:04:06.320
and cry, knowing I'm going to leave her alone in

864
01:04:06.360 --> 01:04:12.440
this world. Charity, no, don't die. I love you so much,

865
01:04:12.480 --> 01:04:22.960
you can't die. She shrieks. I love love, and then

866
01:04:23.559 --> 01:04:34.360
I die for the second time, like before. It seems

867
01:04:34.599 --> 01:04:39.440
just like that. I wake right up, only now I'm

868
01:04:39.480 --> 01:04:45.760
in a mortuary. What I choke out and sit up straight.

869
01:04:47.119 --> 01:04:51.679
Everything's all right, Rebecca Miren a female voice calls out.

870
01:04:52.159 --> 01:04:54.920
I turn to see a thin woman dressed in a suit.

871
01:04:55.880 --> 01:05:01.159
Welcome to my home. Where am I? I asked the woman.

872
01:05:02.320 --> 01:05:06.239
You are in the Strickfield funeral home, she says, at

873
01:05:06.320 --> 01:05:10.960
least that's how it would seem on the outside. Did

874
01:05:11.000 --> 01:05:16.679
I die? I ask? She nods once. I'm afraid that

875
01:05:16.800 --> 01:05:20.400
you did. Indeed, depart the mortal realm for the second time.

876
01:05:21.599 --> 01:05:25.599
I turn and sit on the embalming table. It was you,

877
01:05:25.800 --> 01:05:28.679
wasn't it. You came for me the first time when

878
01:05:28.719 --> 01:05:32.760
I died three years ago. That was my job at

879
01:05:32.760 --> 01:05:37.760
the time, the woman replies. My name is Saffron Morningside.

880
01:05:38.360 --> 01:05:41.079
The first time you came before me, it was my

881
01:05:41.280 --> 01:05:44.800
duty to get you safely across the River Styx and

882
01:05:44.840 --> 01:05:49.159
to your final destination. To day, you might say that

883
01:05:49.280 --> 01:05:51.800
it is my job to help those souls who were

884
01:05:51.840 --> 01:05:55.440
at their cross roads. This is now the second time

885
01:05:55.559 --> 01:05:59.199
that you have come before me. Rebecca, that's my real name.

886
01:06:00.039 --> 01:06:02.719
I only became Charity because that was the name my

887
01:06:02.800 --> 01:06:06.320
family branded on me, so I decided to own it

888
01:06:06.719 --> 01:06:11.639
and make it mine. I kneel before the being. I'm

889
01:06:11.679 --> 01:06:15.199
ready to face my judgment. I'm ready to stand before

890
01:06:15.280 --> 01:06:20.400
Almighty God. You speak as if you've done great wrong,

891
01:06:21.039 --> 01:06:26.159
Saffron says. Then she comes and takes my hand. Rise,

892
01:06:27.280 --> 01:06:30.480
I obey her. I have tried so hard to be

893
01:06:30.639 --> 01:06:35.039
kind and charitable. I've tried so hard to keep the faith.

894
01:06:35.320 --> 01:06:41.199
I've tried even harder to be like Jesus Christ. Saffron smiles.

895
01:06:41.239 --> 01:06:44.519
A little too bad. There are not more like you

896
01:06:44.920 --> 01:06:49.119
in the mortal realm. Then she squeezes my hand gently.

897
01:06:50.440 --> 01:06:53.679
You are not here to answer for anything, for you

898
01:06:53.760 --> 01:06:59.639
have done no wrong, my sister, sister, I ask in

899
01:06:59.719 --> 01:07:04.519
can fusion. Saffron takes my other hand. Now she's holding

900
01:07:04.559 --> 01:07:09.880
them both. In life, I was your younger sister, Destiny,

901
01:07:10.519 --> 01:07:13.920
and now I am the being you see before you.

902
01:07:14.800 --> 01:07:17.679
It has taken me a great many years to finally

903
01:07:17.800 --> 01:07:23.320
understand how I mistreated you in life. I just wish

904
01:07:23.480 --> 01:07:26.000
it had not been during my time in the afterlife

905
01:07:26.639 --> 01:07:29.719
that I would finally regret the abuse I gave unto you.

906
01:07:31.079 --> 01:07:34.519
I truly wish to come before you and say how

907
01:07:34.559 --> 01:07:40.039
sorry I am, but I was with reluctance. I'm overjoyed

908
01:07:40.079 --> 01:07:44.039
that you are here before me. Now, I squeeze her

909
01:07:44.079 --> 01:07:49.400
hands back. If you truly are my sister. Then I

910
01:07:49.480 --> 01:07:53.960
forgave you a long time ago, Destiny, I forgave all

911
01:07:54.000 --> 01:07:57.159
of you, even after Mom and Dad kicked me out.

912
01:07:58.400 --> 01:08:03.840
That's who I am. Now I'm crying. I really wanted

913
01:08:03.920 --> 01:08:07.519
to be close to you, dear sister, but I mean it.

914
01:08:07.599 --> 01:08:13.400
I forgive you for everything. Now, Destiny's crying softly herself.

915
01:08:14.559 --> 01:08:18.840
Thank you, she whispers. We hold each other for a

916
01:08:18.880 --> 01:08:23.279
long while. I truly wish Destiny and I hadn't become

917
01:08:23.359 --> 01:08:26.840
so distant from each other in life. But here we

918
01:08:26.880 --> 01:08:33.600
are now. When we come apart, Destiny tells me, it's Christmas,

919
01:08:33.640 --> 01:08:38.720
my sister. I wish to give you something special. Then,

920
01:08:38.840 --> 01:08:43.239
I'm remembering you did. You were the one who gave

921
01:08:43.279 --> 01:08:48.039
me my life back after I drank the poison. Destiny nods,

922
01:08:49.159 --> 01:08:52.720
I was death at the time. You gave your life

923
01:08:52.760 --> 01:08:56.199
selflessly to end the curse of that chain letter and

924
01:08:56.319 --> 01:09:01.319
save the remainder of those infected by its evil. A

925
01:09:01.359 --> 01:09:05.159
little while ago, you gave your life selflessly, which brought

926
01:09:05.239 --> 01:09:08.920
you back before me. I am giving you the gift

927
01:09:08.960 --> 01:09:13.680
of choice this Christmas. Rebecca. You may either allow me

928
01:09:13.840 --> 01:09:16.880
to take you across the River Styx so that you

929
01:09:16.960 --> 01:09:22.960
may reach your final destination in Paradise, or you may

930
01:09:23.000 --> 01:09:26.479
remain here in the mortal realm so that you may

931
01:09:26.520 --> 01:09:30.800
continue to do your work. I can feel that you

932
01:09:30.840 --> 01:09:36.039
are not ready to take your final ride just yet. However, Rebecca,

933
01:09:37.119 --> 01:09:43.600
I leave the choice in your hands. What if? What if?

934
01:09:43.640 --> 01:09:47.920
I want to stay with you, Destiny, I ask. You're

935
01:09:47.960 --> 01:09:52.640
my blood sister. I would love to reconnect with you.

936
01:09:53.399 --> 01:09:55.800
Know that I've always loved you, in spite of how

937
01:09:55.840 --> 01:10:02.119
badly you treated me in life. Destiny smiles. I've already

938
01:10:02.159 --> 01:10:05.800
told you where you may find me, my sister. Come

939
01:10:05.840 --> 01:10:10.720
and visit me whenever you wish. The lights will always

940
01:10:10.800 --> 01:10:15.119
be on here. But to do this, you would have

941
01:10:15.199 --> 01:10:18.720
to choose to remain in the mortal realm, for there

942
01:10:18.760 --> 01:10:22.319
is no coming back once you have taken your final

943
01:10:22.399 --> 01:10:28.399
journey across the River Styx. I'm crying more now then

944
01:10:29.800 --> 01:10:36.640
I will see you again. You shall, she assures me. Now,

945
01:10:37.760 --> 01:10:41.279
since you have clearly made your choice, I shall return

946
01:10:41.319 --> 01:10:44.760
you to the point before Zane Collins opens the cursed

947
01:10:44.800 --> 01:10:49.600
Christmas Card. You shall return with this knowledge, take the

948
01:10:49.640 --> 01:10:54.079
card away from him, and destroy it immediately. This way,

949
01:10:54.600 --> 01:10:59.720
none of the events that transpired will become so will

950
01:10:59.800 --> 01:11:06.199
I will, I remember you? I choke out. Destiny leans

951
01:11:06.239 --> 01:11:18.600
in and kisses my cheek. Merry Christmas. She faces me again, Charity.

952
01:11:19.800 --> 01:11:25.359
Suddenly the scenery changes. Now everything's looking like I'm in

953
01:11:25.479 --> 01:11:29.439
some kind of acid trip or something. The next thing

954
01:11:29.479 --> 01:11:32.359
I know, I'm back at the home of Wade and

955
01:11:32.479 --> 01:11:38.840
May Collins. You okay, Charity, A voice asks me, huh,

956
01:11:39.079 --> 01:11:43.079
I utter. A hand takes firm hold of my shoulder.

957
01:11:43.960 --> 01:11:49.199
Now I'm facing Micah. I quickly raise my finger. Wait

958
01:11:49.359 --> 01:11:52.279
right here, I promise I'll be right back and I'll

959
01:11:52.319 --> 01:11:59.279
explain everything. Okay, she utters. I turn away from her

960
01:11:59.319 --> 01:12:02.800
and move fast to find Zain. I quickly dig into

961
01:12:02.800 --> 01:12:04.960
my pocket and know I'm going to have to be

962
01:12:05.079 --> 01:12:09.199
crafty to pull off my idea. When I reach Zayn,

963
01:12:09.319 --> 01:12:13.279
I bump into him and pull a little switcheroo. He

964
01:12:13.319 --> 01:12:16.840
doesn't see me quickly take his Christmas card and flick

965
01:12:16.880 --> 01:12:21.560
it into the fireplace behind me, then leave something else

966
01:12:21.640 --> 01:12:26.159
in the card's place. I quickly turn to look. The

967
01:12:26.199 --> 01:12:30.600
card and envelope both burn up. Then the fire turns

968
01:12:30.600 --> 01:12:34.960
a bright red only for a moment. When the fire

969
01:12:35.039 --> 01:12:38.359
is normal again, there's nothing left of the cursed Christmas card,

970
01:12:39.079 --> 01:12:43.840
not even ashes. Then Zay shoves me. Hey, what the

971
01:12:43.880 --> 01:12:48.840
hell's your problem? What's your huh? When Zay sees he's

972
01:12:48.880 --> 01:12:52.520
holding one hundred dollars bill, he looks at me and

973
01:12:52.560 --> 01:12:58.279
to the bill again. Now he looks confused. I quickly

974
01:12:58.319 --> 01:13:04.000
give him a look of confusion myself. I didn't take

975
01:13:04.039 --> 01:13:08.760
your money, did I, Zay asks quietly. I fold my

976
01:13:08.920 --> 01:13:11.880
arms in front of me. No, no, not at all.

977
01:13:12.760 --> 01:13:16.800
Maybe you had it and didn't realize it. Zayn laughs

978
01:13:16.840 --> 01:13:21.760
a little. Uh. Maybe, I unfold my arms and not

979
01:13:21.960 --> 01:13:26.199
a little. Sorry I bumped you. I'll leave you alone.

980
01:13:26.439 --> 01:13:31.439
Merry Christmas. As I turn away, he snatches my arm. Hey.

981
01:13:32.319 --> 01:13:35.079
I turn back to him and wait for an explanation.

982
01:13:37.039 --> 01:13:41.359
I'm sorry about how I treated you, He says, you

983
01:13:41.439 --> 01:13:46.920
really are okay. I smile a little. I forgave you

984
01:13:46.960 --> 01:13:50.319
a long time ago, zayane and I don't carry a grudge,

985
01:13:51.359 --> 01:13:55.560
especially when it's Christmas. Then he offers me his hand.

986
01:13:56.399 --> 01:14:02.239
I take it so we can shake. Then he hugs me. Wow,

987
01:14:03.239 --> 01:14:09.119
talk about buying somebody off. Still, I remember what did happen? Otherwise,

988
01:14:10.199 --> 01:14:13.600
the Christmas Eve party went off without any further incidents

989
01:14:13.640 --> 01:14:17.560
from there, even Steve wasn't giving me a hard time anymore.

990
01:14:18.439 --> 01:14:22.840
Guess Zaye must have talked to him. Anyway, We enjoyed

991
01:14:22.880 --> 01:14:32.960
food and drink, open presents, and even watched some Christmas movies. Epilogue.

992
01:14:33.119 --> 01:14:36.560
That night, Micah finds me sitting out back at the

993
01:14:36.600 --> 01:14:41.159
Collins House in downtown Village. She sits down beside me.

994
01:14:42.920 --> 01:14:50.479
You okay, I sigh, I'm just thinking about things. She

995
01:14:50.640 --> 01:14:56.520
takes my hand. Talk to me, you promised. I keep

996
01:14:56.560 --> 01:15:02.319
my promise and tell Micah everything I never kept anything

997
01:15:02.359 --> 01:15:06.199
from her. When I finish, I say, I know you

998
01:15:06.880 --> 01:15:12.359
probably think I'm crazy, right, She shakes her head. After

999
01:15:12.399 --> 01:15:14.760
the hell we went through with that first chain letter?

1000
01:15:15.199 --> 01:15:17.199
Why would I not believe you when you tell me

1001
01:15:17.239 --> 01:15:21.279
about a cursed Christmas card? Then she gives me a

1002
01:15:21.279 --> 01:15:29.520
weird look. You really died again? I nod. I'm so sorry.

1003
01:15:30.800 --> 01:15:34.079
Just like last time I was sent back here, I

1004
01:15:34.159 --> 01:15:37.560
was told my work wasn't finished. I don't know if

1005
01:15:37.560 --> 01:15:41.079
I'm just supposed to keep following John thirteen thirty four,

1006
01:15:41.840 --> 01:15:44.600
or if there's some other work I'm supposed to be

1007
01:15:44.680 --> 01:15:48.319
doing that I don't know about yet. If there is

1008
01:15:48.439 --> 01:15:51.960
such a being as God, what does he or she

1009
01:15:52.119 --> 01:15:55.119
want with me. I just feel like I have so

1010
01:15:55.239 --> 01:16:00.119
many more unanswered questions Micah. Then Micah and I come

1011
01:16:00.159 --> 01:16:05.880
together and share a long, passionate kiss. When we come apart,

1012
01:16:06.479 --> 01:16:11.600
Micah tells me she loves me. I love you too,

1013
01:16:12.319 --> 01:16:18.000
I tell her. Then I take her hand. Listen. Would

1014
01:16:18.039 --> 01:16:23.479
you be willing to come with me someplace tomorrow? Micah nods,

1015
01:16:24.960 --> 01:16:43.319
you know. I trust you unconditionally. Charity. The next afternoon,

1016
01:16:44.039 --> 01:16:47.520
on Christmas, Micah and I are standing on the front

1017
01:16:47.560 --> 01:16:51.399
porch of the Strickfield Funeral Home. I can tell Micah's

1018
01:16:51.479 --> 01:16:56.239
wondering what we're doing here. I reach out and ring

1019
01:16:56.319 --> 01:17:01.920
the doorbell. It isn't long for someone opens one of

1020
01:17:01.960 --> 01:17:07.640
the double doors. It's Saffron Morningside. She opens the door

1021
01:17:07.680 --> 01:17:09.680
the rest of the way and motions for us to

1022
01:17:09.720 --> 01:17:13.920
come in. I was hoping you would come today, my

1023
01:17:14.039 --> 01:17:20.119
younger sister says, after she closes the door behind us. Actually,

1024
01:17:21.119 --> 01:17:25.000
I was hoping that you both would come today. Then

1025
01:17:25.239 --> 01:17:29.800
Saffron points past us. Micah and I both turn around

1026
01:17:29.840 --> 01:17:37.000
to see Mom. I choke out. Mom doesn't say anything

1027
01:17:37.560 --> 01:17:41.119
and comes right to me. We throw our arms around

1028
01:17:41.119 --> 01:17:45.159
each other and hug tightly. I would later learn that

1029
01:17:45.199 --> 01:17:48.199
around Halloween, Mom and Dad wanted to do right by

1030
01:17:48.239 --> 01:17:52.560
Destiny after she had disappeared and give her a funeral.

1031
01:17:53.680 --> 01:17:56.479
Mom was at that point in her life where she

1032
01:17:56.600 --> 01:17:59.920
was feeling remorse for how badly she treated both Destiny

1033
01:18:00.319 --> 01:18:05.600
and I. Dad, however, would never come to repent, so

1034
01:18:05.720 --> 01:18:10.239
he was claimed by death because Mom was having regrets

1035
01:18:10.840 --> 01:18:15.000
Destiny as death gave her time to make things right

1036
01:18:15.800 --> 01:18:20.000
while she was still alive to do so. Nothing like

1037
01:18:20.079 --> 01:18:23.279
Christmas to bring in a strange family back together again.

1038
01:18:24.760 --> 01:18:28.199
Mom has never accepted that Micah Collins is my life partner.

1039
01:18:29.439 --> 01:18:31.840
There will still be much to fix in terms of

1040
01:18:31.880 --> 01:18:38.680
our family relationship, but Mom seems willing to try. Mom

1041
01:18:38.760 --> 01:18:42.119
can't believe what's happened to both Destiny and me, but

1042
01:18:42.239 --> 01:18:45.640
she promises us both that she won't lose us again.

1043
01:18:46.880 --> 01:18:49.119
The only thing that still bums me out at this

1044
01:18:49.239 --> 01:18:54.520
point is the fact that someone wants me dead. I

1045
01:18:54.600 --> 01:18:57.960
know in time that that someone will send another chain

1046
01:18:58.039 --> 01:19:01.560
letter out. I know I have to find that person

1047
01:19:02.159 --> 01:19:05.680
and stop him or her before more lives are lost.

1048
01:19:06.640 --> 01:19:09.520
The problem is I don't even know where to begin.

1049
01:19:10.800 --> 01:19:14.039
Even I know I can only do so many things

1050
01:19:14.079 --> 01:19:19.720
at a time, But today I just want to be

1051
01:19:19.800 --> 01:19:35.920
with my family on Christmas. Secret Santa by Charles Campbell.

1052
01:19:37.399 --> 01:19:41.840
It was early Floyd Bennett was tired and already dreading

1053
01:19:41.960 --> 01:19:47.319
the day ahead. He drew Carol Tatum's name in Secret Santa.

1054
01:19:48.479 --> 01:19:51.520
To say he and Carol didn't get along would be

1055
01:19:51.880 --> 01:19:55.560
quite the understatement. They didn't seem to see eye to

1056
01:19:55.680 --> 01:20:00.239
eye on much of anything. Christmas was still four days away,

1057
01:20:00.920 --> 01:20:06.640
but today was gift swap day at the Augusta Harald. Meanwhile,

1058
01:20:06.680 --> 01:20:10.439
across town, Carol Tatum looked on in disdain at the

1059
01:20:10.520 --> 01:20:14.399
alarm clock. It was six point twenty nine am, and

1060
01:20:14.479 --> 01:20:17.920
she disabled the alarm before it blared whatever was playing

1061
01:20:17.960 --> 01:20:22.880
on WBBQ. Of all the folks at the newspaper, how

1062
01:20:22.920 --> 01:20:26.680
in the hell did she draw Floyd Bennett in Secret Sannah.

1063
01:20:27.760 --> 01:20:31.119
She thought about trying to swap names with someone, but

1064
01:20:31.840 --> 01:20:35.439
that would defeat the purpose of Secret Sanna, and she

1065
01:20:35.520 --> 01:20:39.479
couldn't bear the thought of Floyd finding out she originally

1066
01:20:39.520 --> 01:20:42.920
had his name. At least she could keep it secret

1067
01:20:43.000 --> 01:20:45.399
because she wasn't going to put her name on it.

1068
01:20:45.920 --> 01:20:48.119
And if they cared enough to go through the process

1069
01:20:48.159 --> 01:20:52.119
of elimination, they could figure out it was her, but

1070
01:20:52.319 --> 01:20:55.359
Carol didn't think anyone would go to those lengths to

1071
01:20:55.399 --> 01:20:59.039
figure out who gifted Floyd a bottle of cheap whiskey.

1072
01:21:00.239 --> 01:21:03.359
Carol sighed as she rolled out of bed. It was

1073
01:21:03.439 --> 01:21:07.760
time for a quick shower and even quicker breakfast, followed

1074
01:21:07.760 --> 01:21:17.720
by the fifteen minute drive from the valley to downtown Augusta, Georgia. Butch,

1075
01:21:17.880 --> 01:21:21.399
the security guard at the Augusta Herald, knew all of

1076
01:21:21.439 --> 01:21:25.439
the faces and names of the newspaper's employees, so badge

1077
01:21:25.520 --> 01:21:31.279
checks were only reserved for unfamiliar faces. Unfamiliar faces rarely

1078
01:21:31.359 --> 01:21:35.039
showed up without scheduled appointments, and those that did were

1079
01:21:35.079 --> 01:21:39.439
politely shown the door. Butch was a fully armed guard,

1080
01:21:39.800 --> 01:21:43.000
an army veteran that knew how to handle and defuse

1081
01:21:43.520 --> 01:21:48.600
potentially dangerous situations. With that said, most folks would not

1082
01:21:48.920 --> 01:21:52.319
want to challenge his prowess with a side arm, and

1083
01:21:52.439 --> 01:21:56.159
most people that were familiar knew this about Butch as

1084
01:21:56.199 --> 01:22:00.600
he frequented the gun range. Hey, Butch said as she

1085
01:22:00.640 --> 01:22:05.960
approached the security desk. Good morning, Carol, It's Christmas party day,

1086
01:22:06.520 --> 01:22:10.079
Butch said with a grin. Seeing Carol was always one

1087
01:22:10.079 --> 01:22:13.000
of the best parts of his mornings. She was easy

1088
01:22:13.039 --> 01:22:16.479
on the eyes. Butch estimated she was in her mid

1089
01:22:16.560 --> 01:22:20.279
thirties and he would be right. Carol had dark brown

1090
01:22:20.319 --> 01:22:24.279
hair with equally dark brown eyes. Today she was decked

1091
01:22:24.279 --> 01:22:27.920
out in a red form fitting Christmasy dress with green

1092
01:22:28.039 --> 01:22:31.359
lace around the collar and sleeves, along with a pair

1093
01:22:31.399 --> 01:22:35.079
of green velvet knee high boots. Butch would let that

1094
01:22:35.199 --> 01:22:39.079
elf sit on his lap any time. I'll see you there,

1095
01:22:39.600 --> 01:22:43.880
Carol replied and grinned back. Butch watched every step as

1096
01:22:43.920 --> 01:22:47.199
she approached the elevator. He was thinking about what he

1097
01:22:47.239 --> 01:22:50.720
would do if he was only ten years younger. As

1098
01:22:50.760 --> 01:22:54.239
the elevator doors closed and a new set of footprints

1099
01:22:54.279 --> 01:23:00.159
filled the corridor, Good morning, Butch. Floyd jovially said his

1100
01:23:00.239 --> 01:23:02.720
mood got a little better on the car ride. The

1101
01:23:02.800 --> 01:23:08.319
Christmas songs on w BBQ helped his holiday spirit. Hey Floyd,

1102
01:23:08.560 --> 01:23:13.079
Christmas Party Day, Butch exclaimed. Yepper, I'll see you there,

1103
01:23:13.880 --> 01:23:18.119
Floyd said as he walked past. Butch noted Floyd's outfit.

1104
01:23:18.800 --> 01:23:22.520
It wasn't Christmasy at all. It was just a regular

1105
01:23:22.640 --> 01:23:27.520
black polo with black slacks and equally black shoes. If

1106
01:23:27.560 --> 01:23:30.279
Butch didn't know any better. He would swear that Floyd

1107
01:23:30.359 --> 01:23:34.840
was attending a funeral that day. Maybe it was an omen.

1108
01:23:36.119 --> 01:23:39.239
Floyd was older than Carol, but younger than Butch by

1109
01:23:39.319 --> 01:23:43.079
about a decade. Floyd was forty nine years old, and

1110
01:23:43.119 --> 01:23:45.479
by the looks of his full mop of gray hair,

1111
01:23:46.039 --> 01:23:49.800
he could have almost passed for Butch's age. Floyd's most

1112
01:23:49.800 --> 01:23:54.000
striking feature was the deep, superhero like dimple in his chin,

1113
01:23:54.520 --> 01:23:58.720
and his ice blue eyes weren't far behind. Butch did

1114
01:23:58.760 --> 01:24:03.680
not watch Floyd to the elevator. Floyd was the pre

1115
01:24:03.760 --> 01:24:06.800
press manager, so it was his job to make sure

1116
01:24:06.840 --> 01:24:10.439
that images sent via the newsroom to the imaging department

1117
01:24:10.720 --> 01:24:14.560
were color corrected for newsprint. He was also in charge

1118
01:24:14.560 --> 01:24:17.359
of making sure plates were created for the press room.

1119
01:24:18.159 --> 01:24:21.640
The technology had moved from processing film to direct to

1120
01:24:21.680 --> 01:24:25.000
plate years ago, and this reduced the need for a

1121
01:24:25.079 --> 01:24:29.159
large staff of folks in pre press. This meant Floyd

1122
01:24:29.239 --> 01:24:33.880
only managed six people total, versus the twenty plus folks

1123
01:24:33.880 --> 01:24:37.079
he managed when he was promoted to his position fifteen

1124
01:24:37.159 --> 01:24:40.920
years before. He wondered when the need for the imaging

1125
01:24:40.960 --> 01:24:45.239
department would go away. It was, after all, a digital

1126
01:24:45.279 --> 01:24:49.800
world now, and color correcting digital images required very little

1127
01:24:49.840 --> 01:24:53.560
touch up. Floyd was sure that when the crusty old

1128
01:24:53.600 --> 01:24:57.279
buzzard that owned the Augusta Harold realized this, the imaging

1129
01:24:57.279 --> 01:25:01.279
department would go away, and in all likelihood his position.

1130
01:25:02.319 --> 01:25:05.800
The reality was he really didn't need to manage the

1131
01:25:05.840 --> 01:25:09.359
page nation, folks, and the strait to plate technology was

1132
01:25:09.399 --> 01:25:13.279
nothing to manage. Really, Floyd would bide his time for

1133
01:25:13.359 --> 01:25:16.720
as long as he could and continue to collect paychecks

1134
01:25:17.119 --> 01:25:21.239
until they turned into severance checks, or so he thought.

1135
01:25:26.000 --> 01:25:30.600
Carol smiled as her rotund boss, Pete McHugh walked by

1136
01:25:30.680 --> 01:25:34.760
her desk. Pete was the director of production and Carol

1137
01:25:34.920 --> 01:25:39.079
was his administrative assistant. But if you asked Pete, he

1138
01:25:39.119 --> 01:25:42.239
would say secretary. As he was part of the Old Guard.

1139
01:25:43.000 --> 01:25:46.439
Pete had the distinction of being the designated Santa for

1140
01:25:46.520 --> 01:25:50.800
the annual Christmas party. He was already in costume San's

1141
01:25:50.840 --> 01:25:54.880
fake beard and hat. You're going to work all day

1142
01:25:54.920 --> 01:25:59.039
and that. Carol asked, why not? You're all dressed up

1143
01:25:59.039 --> 01:26:02.319
for Christmas? Why can't I do the same? Pete shot back,

1144
01:26:02.880 --> 01:26:07.079
point taken, your suit looks like it may be uncomfortable,

1145
01:26:07.279 --> 01:26:11.199
was all I was getting at. Carol replied, no, not

1146
01:26:11.319 --> 01:26:13.840
at all. I don't think much work is going to

1147
01:26:13.880 --> 01:26:17.600
get done today anyway. Half of the advertising staff is

1148
01:26:17.640 --> 01:26:20.720
off today, but they'll be back for the free booze

1149
01:26:20.760 --> 01:26:24.439
and gifts later. It will be a short edition filled

1150
01:26:24.439 --> 01:26:28.279
with ads already booked weeks ago. So unless there's some

1151
01:26:28.680 --> 01:26:32.880
earth shattering event that happens between now and press time,

1152
01:26:33.520 --> 01:26:35.840
things should be pretty quiet at the Augusta.

1153
01:26:35.880 --> 01:26:36.239
Harold.

1154
01:26:37.159 --> 01:26:40.880
Let's hope, so, Carol said, as she thought. The less

1155
01:26:40.920 --> 01:26:45.359
she saw of Floyd, the better. Carol. One more thing

1156
01:26:46.560 --> 01:26:52.920
just between us. Who did you draw for secret? Sanna? Now, Pete?

1157
01:26:53.399 --> 01:26:56.840
If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret any longer,

1158
01:26:57.399 --> 01:27:01.920
loose lips and all that, Carol replied with a sly smile.

1159
01:27:02.760 --> 01:27:07.079
Pete smiled back and stepped into his office. He turned

1160
01:27:07.079 --> 01:27:10.760
on the radio, and Christmas music from w bb Q

1161
01:27:11.119 --> 01:27:16.039
filled the office, even through the closed door. The day

1162
01:27:16.159 --> 01:27:20.119
moved along at the Augusta Herald. Floyd was trying not

1163
01:27:20.239 --> 01:27:22.680
to doze off in his office for most of the day,

1164
01:27:23.199 --> 01:27:25.239
as all plates for the press room were out and

1165
01:27:25.319 --> 01:27:29.079
ready by two pm instead of the usual six pm.

1166
01:27:30.239 --> 01:27:33.680
The page Nation folks were already gone. They were helping

1167
01:27:33.760 --> 01:27:36.119
set up for the Christmas party on the third floor.

1168
01:27:36.760 --> 01:27:39.680
Floyd looked at the wrappt gift he brought and sighed.

1169
01:27:40.520 --> 01:27:42.960
He supposed he needed to sneak it up there and

1170
01:27:43.119 --> 01:27:46.680
under the tree before many people showed up. He didn't

1171
01:27:46.720 --> 01:27:49.560
put his name on the gift, No way did he

1172
01:27:49.640 --> 01:27:53.119
want Carol to know he drew her name. He picked

1173
01:27:53.199 --> 01:27:55.640
up an all in one set of cookwear from wally

1174
01:27:55.720 --> 01:28:00.159
World for twenty nine ninety nine. It was relatively inexpensive

1175
01:28:00.159 --> 01:28:03.119
and easy to wrap, so it checked off both of

1176
01:28:03.159 --> 01:28:07.039
Floyd's requirement boxes. He figured Carol could use them or

1177
01:28:07.159 --> 01:28:12.840
regift them. He really didn't care which. Carol was getting antsy.

1178
01:28:13.479 --> 01:28:16.760
The normal six pm press run was starting at three pm,

1179
01:28:17.239 --> 01:28:20.720
and she hadn't yet taken the opportunity to move Floyd's

1180
01:28:20.760 --> 01:28:23.800
gift up to the third floor. She wanted to get

1181
01:28:23.800 --> 01:28:26.800
it under the tree without being seen by anyone, and

1182
01:28:26.920 --> 01:28:30.840
her window to do so was closing. Carol peeked into

1183
01:28:30.880 --> 01:28:34.159
Pete's office. His back was turned to her and he

1184
01:28:34.279 --> 01:28:37.479
was formulating an email from what she could tell, so

1185
01:28:38.039 --> 01:28:41.239
she grabbed the wrapped whiskey bottle and blined it for

1186
01:28:41.279 --> 01:28:45.960
the third floor. She didn't even know if Floyd consumed whiskey.

1187
01:28:46.079 --> 01:28:49.640
She knew from personal experience that he was a beer drinker,

1188
01:28:50.159 --> 01:28:53.920
but it didn't really matter. If he didn't want the whiskey,

1189
01:28:54.079 --> 01:28:57.439
he could give it away or regift it. She really

1190
01:28:57.479 --> 01:29:09.039
didn't care which. Floyd could hear Christmas music already blaring

1191
01:29:09.159 --> 01:29:12.520
from the third floor meeting room. He saw Ronda and

1192
01:29:12.600 --> 01:29:15.800
Amy hanging mistletoe in the far corner of the room

1193
01:29:16.359 --> 01:29:20.119
as he skirted quickly around the Christmas tree. There were

1194
01:29:20.159 --> 01:29:24.119
only two gifts under the tree so far. He set

1195
01:29:24.159 --> 01:29:27.600
down the wrapped box he was carrying and was trying

1196
01:29:27.640 --> 01:29:30.600
to make it back out of the room before Ronda

1197
01:29:30.640 --> 01:29:35.159
and Amy saw him when he almost crashed into Carol.

1198
01:29:36.159 --> 01:29:40.399
Carol stumbled backward, tripped, and the wrapped whiskey bottle she

1199
01:29:40.520 --> 01:29:45.319
was carrying fell from her grip. With reflexes Floyd thought

1200
01:29:45.359 --> 01:29:48.560
were lost to age, he managed to catch the wrapped

1201
01:29:48.600 --> 01:29:52.359
bottle before it hit the floor while gripping Carol's shoulder

1202
01:29:52.399 --> 01:29:56.199
with his free left hand. This prevented her from falling

1203
01:29:56.199 --> 01:29:59.000
on her ass, with a bottle of whiskey shattering right

1204
01:29:59.000 --> 01:30:02.960
in front of her. Even though Floyd saved her from embarrassment,

1205
01:30:03.439 --> 01:30:06.880
anger rose in her bosom. Why don't you watch where

1206
01:30:06.880 --> 01:30:12.159
the fuck you're going, you big oath. Hey look, I'm sorry,

1207
01:30:12.199 --> 01:30:16.560
but you got eyes too, you know, Floyd replied, Okay,

1208
01:30:17.720 --> 01:30:23.560
thank you. Carol forced herself to say, you're welcome. Not

1209
01:30:23.600 --> 01:30:26.479
sure who you got, but I hope they like to drink,

1210
01:30:27.079 --> 01:30:30.560
Floyd said as he handed over the bottle. Damn it

1211
01:30:30.600 --> 01:30:34.479
all to hell, Carol thought to herself. Floyd knew what

1212
01:30:34.640 --> 01:30:38.399
was behind the wrapper, and more importantly, he knew who

1213
01:30:38.560 --> 01:30:43.600
was behind the rapper. Carol made her way back to

1214
01:30:43.680 --> 01:30:47.720
the production office, where Pete was now in full Santa garb.

1215
01:30:48.399 --> 01:30:51.520
The hat was on and the beard was affixed. He

1216
01:30:51.560 --> 01:30:54.920
looked happy as a clam. She tried to smile as

1217
01:30:54.960 --> 01:30:58.840
she pretended to be enthralled with something on her computer screen.

1218
01:30:59.640 --> 01:31:04.319
Google search displays could be so captivating. It was almost

1219
01:31:04.399 --> 01:31:08.439
time for the Christmas party, and Carol was not happy

1220
01:31:08.479 --> 01:31:31.199
at all. Once the party began, most of the AUGUSTA.

1221
01:31:31.279 --> 01:31:35.960
Harold's staff was there in full force. Mary Plunkett, the

1222
01:31:36.039 --> 01:31:40.279
advertising director, kicked off the party with a celebratory roast

1223
01:31:40.319 --> 01:31:43.640
to the worker bees. It was followed by the Old Man,

1224
01:31:44.199 --> 01:31:48.159
the head Hancho, the man that signed the checks William

1225
01:31:48.239 --> 01:31:52.359
Moore's the third, letting them know what a spectacular year

1226
01:31:52.560 --> 01:31:55.880
they had financially, and that every single one of them

1227
01:31:56.199 --> 01:32:00.720
would be getting a free ham or turkey for their efforts.

1228
01:32:00.760 --> 01:32:04.199
No mention of a Christmas bonus, not that there was

1229
01:32:04.239 --> 01:32:10.199
ever mention of one. Carol meandered toward the tree. She

1230
01:32:10.399 --> 01:32:13.279
was going to swap out her gift with someone else's.

1231
01:32:14.159 --> 01:32:17.920
That's the only thing she could do. No way could

1232
01:32:17.920 --> 01:32:21.600
she let Floyd know his gift was from her, Not

1233
01:32:21.760 --> 01:32:26.439
after what happened between them two years before. She should

1234
01:32:26.479 --> 01:32:31.359
have spoken up when she first drew his name. Floyd

1235
01:32:31.479 --> 01:32:34.800
was chatting with Amy when she said something that changed

1236
01:32:34.840 --> 01:32:39.439
the course of this evening. Hey, Floyd, what's in the box?

1237
01:32:39.960 --> 01:32:46.880
Amy asked? Box? What box? Floyd returned. Ronda chimed, in

1238
01:32:47.479 --> 01:32:49.560
the box you brought in and put under the tree.

1239
01:32:50.079 --> 01:32:54.159
What was in it? They were indeed paying attention after all.

1240
01:32:55.000 --> 01:32:58.479
No way he could let Carol know that he drew

1241
01:32:58.560 --> 01:33:02.800
her name. He needed to swap gifts with somebody on

1242
01:33:02.920 --> 01:33:14.880
the down low. Two years prior Christmas Eve, Floyd looked

1243
01:33:14.920 --> 01:33:19.960
into Carol's eyes. Tonight was the night he was going

1244
01:33:20.000 --> 01:33:24.159
to pop the question. It was perfect the sky was clear,

1245
01:33:24.319 --> 01:33:28.079
the moon was full, stars were out, and they were

1246
01:33:28.119 --> 01:33:32.000
the only two left on the Valley hay ride. Floyd

1247
01:33:32.039 --> 01:33:35.199
made sure of this by giving Rodney Adams a cool

1248
01:33:35.359 --> 01:33:41.000
twenty spot. The tractor pulled them around Langley Pond. Floyd

1249
01:33:41.079 --> 01:33:44.159
gave a loud whistle when it was time for Rodney

1250
01:33:44.560 --> 01:33:48.000
to park the tractor. They were on the other side

1251
01:33:48.039 --> 01:33:51.079
of the pond. The lights from the vendor booths at

1252
01:33:51.079 --> 01:33:54.800
the Valley Christmas Eve festival were bright across the way.

1253
01:33:55.840 --> 01:33:59.119
Rodney hopped from the tractor and walked until he was

1254
01:33:59.159 --> 01:34:04.079
out of immediate earshot. His instructions were to return when

1255
01:34:04.079 --> 01:34:08.000
he heard the tractor engine come back to life. Floyd

1256
01:34:08.119 --> 01:34:10.560
learned how to drive tractors when he was a kid,

1257
01:34:11.119 --> 01:34:16.680
so he was certainly qualified to crank one ups. What's

1258
01:34:16.760 --> 01:34:21.880
going on, Carol asked nervously. Tonight is a special night,

1259
01:34:22.600 --> 01:34:28.119
and tomorrow is Christmas. And this place, well, this place

1260
01:34:28.239 --> 01:34:35.960
is perfect, Floyd said, perfect for what Carol's hands were

1261
01:34:36.000 --> 01:34:41.760
beginning to shake Carol Floyd began as he reached deeply

1262
01:34:42.159 --> 01:34:45.800
into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small jewelry box

1263
01:34:46.319 --> 01:34:51.079
and continued, would you do me the honor of becoming

1264
01:34:51.119 --> 01:34:56.199
my wife. Floyd attempted to hand Carol the small black

1265
01:34:56.319 --> 01:35:04.640
box emblazoned with the Jared's Jeweler's logo. Floyd. Oh no, no, why,

1266
01:35:05.399 --> 01:35:09.319
Carol questioned. She wouldn't take the box from his hand.

1267
01:35:10.680 --> 01:35:16.279
What's wrong, Carol? I thought you loved me. I certainly

1268
01:35:16.359 --> 01:35:21.560
love you, Floyd said. He was confused. They had been

1269
01:35:21.600 --> 01:35:24.319
seeing each other for a few months, and he was

1270
01:35:24.399 --> 01:35:29.479
all but certain that she felt the same way. First off,

1271
01:35:30.039 --> 01:35:33.840
you're too old for me, Floyd. It was fun. This

1272
01:35:34.439 --> 01:35:38.920
was fun. But that's where it ends. Geez, why did

1273
01:35:39.000 --> 01:35:42.279
you have to go and ruin a good thing? Floyd's

1274
01:35:42.359 --> 01:35:47.800
ice blue eyes welled with tears of hurt. Ruin a

1275
01:35:47.960 --> 01:35:53.319
good thing. I'm trying to make a good thing better.

1276
01:35:54.000 --> 01:35:59.079
I'm trying to make a good thing last forever. Oh

1277
01:35:59.119 --> 01:36:02.560
my god, Floyd, is this fucking Hallmark in the valley?

1278
01:36:03.119 --> 01:36:03.600
Rodney?

1279
01:36:04.560 --> 01:36:11.159
Carol shouted, Carol, stop forget it, Floyd said, and stuffed

1280
01:36:11.159 --> 01:36:15.279
the jewelry box into his pocket. Floyd jumped from the tractor.

1281
01:36:16.039 --> 01:36:21.680
Something wrong, Rodney asked, slightly out of breath from sprinting back. No,

1282
01:36:22.079 --> 01:36:25.840
it's nothing. Go ahead and take Carol back. I'll walk

1283
01:36:26.439 --> 01:36:31.840
Floyd said. Carol sat silently. She didn't holler for Floyd

1284
01:36:32.159 --> 01:36:38.000
to return. The days turned into weeks as workplace awkwardness

1285
01:36:38.119 --> 01:36:43.399
changed into something more adversarial. It got so bad that

1286
01:36:43.479 --> 01:36:46.680
if Floyd said the sea was blue, Carol would say

1287
01:36:46.720 --> 01:36:51.119
it was orange, and vice versa. You see, the thing

1288
01:36:51.359 --> 01:36:55.800
was they would have to interact daily because Pete was

1289
01:36:55.840 --> 01:37:01.640
not only her boss, he was also Floyd's boss. Floyd

1290
01:37:01.760 --> 01:37:05.000
was hurt that Carol was just using him as a distraction.

1291
01:37:05.960 --> 01:37:09.119
Carol was perplexed as to why Floyd couldn't enjoy the

1292
01:37:09.159 --> 01:37:13.560
good times while they lasted. He surely couldn't have thought

1293
01:37:13.600 --> 01:37:17.439
it was anything more. She'd never talked about having a

1294
01:37:17.479 --> 01:37:22.039
long term relationship with him, much less marriage, and if

1295
01:37:22.079 --> 01:37:25.640
he thought it was something more, it was all on him.

1296
01:37:27.000 --> 01:37:32.520
Back to the Christmas party, Floyd walked nonchalantly around the

1297
01:37:32.640 --> 01:37:36.520
dance floor as most of the advertising team was gyrating

1298
01:37:36.640 --> 01:37:40.960
to jingle Bell Rock. He was almost to the Christmas tree.

1299
01:37:41.119 --> 01:37:44.800
Floyd could see the wrapped box of cookwar just where

1300
01:37:44.800 --> 01:37:48.520
he left it. The problem was now it was surrounded

1301
01:37:48.520 --> 01:37:52.600
by gifts, with a few others stacked on top. He

1302
01:37:52.640 --> 01:37:56.359
would look like the Grinch sifting through presents. At this point,

1303
01:37:57.039 --> 01:38:02.000
then someone caught his immediate attention. It was Carol. She

1304
01:38:02.079 --> 01:38:04.680
had the gift that she brought up earlier in her hand,

1305
01:38:05.199 --> 01:38:08.560
and he couldn't believe his eyes as he witnessed her

1306
01:38:08.640 --> 01:38:13.199
quickly removed the tag. She crouched down behind the tree,

1307
01:38:13.680 --> 01:38:15.960
and no one seemed to be paying her any mind.

1308
01:38:16.840 --> 01:38:21.640
Carol was moving quickly. What Floyd saw next astonished him

1309
01:38:21.680 --> 01:38:24.960
even more as he plucked the tag from his box

1310
01:38:25.439 --> 01:38:28.680
and taped it on the gift she brought. Carrol had

1311
01:38:28.720 --> 01:38:32.000
borrowed scotch tape from the office and placed the tag

1312
01:38:32.039 --> 01:38:36.560
from hers onto the wrapped box of cookwaar. He wanted

1313
01:38:36.560 --> 01:38:39.439
to burst out laughing because she was in the same

1314
01:38:39.479 --> 01:38:44.319
predicament he was. It was some backwoods valley redneck version

1315
01:38:44.399 --> 01:38:47.439
of the Gift of the Magi, except neither one of

1316
01:38:47.479 --> 01:38:50.960
them gave a shit about the gifts being exchanged, and

1317
01:38:51.039 --> 01:38:55.840
the love was extinguished with an emphatic no two years before.

1318
01:38:56.720 --> 01:39:01.039
Other than that, Floyd thought jokingly, it was the same story.

1319
01:39:02.000 --> 01:39:05.039
Floyd wanted to burst out laughing at the absurdness of

1320
01:39:05.079 --> 01:39:09.520
the situation, and with the room being packed, nobody was

1321
01:39:09.560 --> 01:39:14.600
calling her out. Well, this was a golden opportunity. Floyd

1322
01:39:14.720 --> 01:39:19.000
changed course and moved quickly to the djay booth. Cheryl

1323
01:39:19.079 --> 01:39:23.640
Moxley was Missus Moore's personal assistant who he often used

1324
01:39:23.680 --> 01:39:28.079
as a DJ for any work parties. Hey, Cheryl, cut

1325
01:39:28.079 --> 01:39:31.479
the music. I have an announcement to make, Floyd said,

1326
01:39:31.520 --> 01:39:35.560
with an impish grin that defied his normal stoic appearance.

1327
01:39:36.239 --> 01:39:40.199
Sure thing, Cheryl said, as she stopped Rudolph the Red

1328
01:39:40.239 --> 01:39:43.680
Nose Reindeer before the crowd could sing about his place

1329
01:39:43.720 --> 01:39:48.640
in history. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, if I can

1330
01:39:48.760 --> 01:39:53.319
direct your attention to the Christmas tree, please, Santa's helper,

1331
01:39:53.600 --> 01:39:57.319
Carol Tatum, seems to be ready to distribute the gifts.

1332
01:39:58.680 --> 01:40:02.600
Carol's face went slack as she rose from the base

1333
01:40:02.640 --> 01:40:08.560
of the tree. She wanted to kill Floyd. Ho Ho Ho,

1334
01:40:09.520 --> 01:40:13.279
Santa Pete bellowed. He thought he missed his cue, so

1335
01:40:13.800 --> 01:40:16.840
it didn't come out as jovial as he would have liked.

1336
01:40:17.560 --> 01:40:21.039
She couldn't help it. Carol stormed out in anger, and

1337
01:40:21.079 --> 01:40:24.840
Floyd smiled as he watched her exit. The bitch was

1338
01:40:24.920 --> 01:40:29.239
finally going to get hers, and he followed her out.

1339
01:40:29.359 --> 01:40:35.560
This didn't miss Santa Pete's or Butcher's observation, nobody else noticed.

1340
01:40:36.119 --> 01:40:40.960
Eggnog and booze had the party goers feeling pretty all right.

1341
01:40:47.239 --> 01:40:51.560
My god, what an asshole, Carol screamed as she sat

1342
01:40:51.600 --> 01:40:55.640
behind the wheel of her Nissan Sentra. It was still early,

1343
01:40:55.800 --> 01:40:59.319
but she wasn't going back in there. Carol was going

1344
01:40:59.359 --> 01:41:02.600
to have a long talk with Pete. She was going

1345
01:41:02.640 --> 01:41:06.600
to lay down the ultimatum. It was either Floyd or her,

1346
01:41:07.000 --> 01:41:09.880
and Carol would make the case on why it should

1347
01:41:09.880 --> 01:41:14.159
be Floyd. Carol pulled out of the AUGUSTA. Harold parking

1348
01:41:14.199 --> 01:41:19.159
lot and drove away into the crisp December night. Unbeknownst

1349
01:41:19.159 --> 01:41:23.560
to Carol, Floyd had beat her out of the parking lot.

1350
01:41:24.079 --> 01:41:28.319
Carol's anger was reflected in her sobs as she drove home.

1351
01:41:29.199 --> 01:41:32.640
She pulled into the dark driveway and felt the chill

1352
01:41:32.720 --> 01:41:35.239
of the air as soon as she stepped from the car.

1353
01:41:36.239 --> 01:41:39.039
He didn't have to call her out like that. She

1354
01:41:39.279 --> 01:41:42.720
hated Floyd, and it was more than apparent the feeling

1355
01:41:42.920 --> 01:41:46.640
was mutual. Carol unlocked the door to her home on

1356
01:41:46.720 --> 01:41:53.039
Oak Street, walked inside and locked the door behind her.

1357
01:41:56.039 --> 01:41:59.760
Leading A man on has consequences is what Floyd thought

1358
01:41:59.800 --> 01:42:03.680
as he parked on Pine Street, one street over from Oak.

1359
01:42:04.520 --> 01:42:08.199
He cut through Luis Utley's backyard and crossed over to Oak.

1360
01:42:08.960 --> 01:42:12.920
Being dressed in all black definitely had its advantages in

1361
01:42:13.000 --> 01:42:17.520
this moment. Floyd moved quickly to the back of Carol's home,

1362
01:42:18.079 --> 01:42:22.000
where he let himself in through her back bedroom window.

1363
01:42:23.000 --> 01:42:25.680
He had promised to replace the latch on it when

1364
01:42:25.720 --> 01:42:29.159
they were seeing each other. It latched, but it was

1365
01:42:29.279 --> 01:42:31.960
loose latched. All you had to do to free it

1366
01:42:32.119 --> 01:42:34.520
was jiggle the window up and down for a few

1367
01:42:34.560 --> 01:42:39.600
seconds and the latch would work itself loose. Floyd wondered

1368
01:42:39.600 --> 01:42:42.039
if she had had it fixed in the two year interim,

1369
01:42:42.479 --> 01:42:48.359
and true to typical Valley protocol, she had not. Floyd

1370
01:42:48.439 --> 01:42:58.439
climbed into her bedroom and waited. Carol placed her phone

1371
01:42:58.479 --> 01:43:01.840
in keys on the coffee tape before she marched to

1372
01:43:01.880 --> 01:43:05.560
the bathroom. She just wanted to take a shower and

1373
01:43:05.640 --> 01:43:10.359
go to bed. She'd deal with Floyd tomorrow. She removed

1374
01:43:10.399 --> 01:43:13.680
her sexy elf dress, let it fall to the floor,

1375
01:43:14.279 --> 01:43:17.960
and turned on the shower. She stepped in and tried

1376
01:43:18.000 --> 01:43:23.479
to wash away the embarrassment. As the steam rose, she

1377
01:43:23.640 --> 01:43:29.560
questioned herself was what he did really that bad? She

1378
01:43:29.640 --> 01:43:32.880
was kneeling under the tree, she was dressed as an elf.

1379
01:43:33.880 --> 01:43:36.760
Floyd may have genuinely thought that is what she was

1380
01:43:36.760 --> 01:43:39.800
supposed to do and was just helping to move the

1381
01:43:39.880 --> 01:43:45.000
proceedings along. Her dislike of him after that dreaded proposal

1382
01:43:45.279 --> 01:43:50.880
at Langley Pond had grown to unreasonable proportions. The man

1383
01:43:51.079 --> 01:43:54.880
wanted to marry her. For God's sake, Carol was evaluating

1384
01:43:54.880 --> 01:43:59.239
her position and adjusting her tone. She would indeed have

1385
01:43:59.279 --> 01:44:04.439
a conversation tomorrow, but it wouldn't be with Pete. It

1386
01:44:04.479 --> 01:44:09.039
would be with Floyd, and she would apologize. They would

1387
01:44:09.079 --> 01:44:12.920
bury the hatchet to at the very least salvage a

1388
01:44:13.000 --> 01:44:17.000
decent work environment. He did save her from busting her

1389
01:44:17.039 --> 01:44:20.560
ass and embarrassing herself in front of Ronda and Amy.

1390
01:44:21.520 --> 01:44:25.880
Everything was mostly her fault, and standing naked being hit

1391
01:44:25.960 --> 01:44:30.479
with near scalding water, Carol finally came to that realization.

1392
01:44:33.600 --> 01:44:38.000
Floyd heard the water on and sat in silent rage

1393
01:44:38.319 --> 01:44:41.600
as he resisted the urge to leave the bedroom and

1394
01:44:41.760 --> 01:44:46.079
go all Norman Bates on her in the shower. He

1395
01:44:46.159 --> 01:44:52.119
sat in silence. The shower turned off, and he heard

1396
01:44:52.279 --> 01:45:01.119
the curtain slide. Carol dried her body, brushed her teeth,

1397
01:45:01.600 --> 01:45:05.319
and gave a quick gargle with mouthwash. There was an

1398
01:45:05.319 --> 01:45:08.960
oversized teal night shirt hanging on the edge of the

1399
01:45:09.039 --> 01:45:12.840
towel rack. She pulled it over her head and yawned.

1400
01:45:14.079 --> 01:45:17.640
She just needed a good night's sleep. Tomorrow was going

1401
01:45:17.680 --> 01:45:20.720
to be big for her. She needed to do the

1402
01:45:20.800 --> 01:45:24.239
right thing to move on with her life. With her

1403
01:45:24.279 --> 01:45:28.079
hair still damp from the shower, Carol turned off the

1404
01:45:28.159 --> 01:45:35.760
lights and went to bed. Floyd stood over Carol. He

1405
01:45:35.840 --> 01:45:40.119
remembered her gentle snore and it sent a longing through him,

1406
01:45:40.880 --> 01:45:45.840
but he would never force himself on anyone ever. He

1407
01:45:45.960 --> 01:45:51.079
reached into his pocket. The Jared box was there. She

1408
01:45:51.239 --> 01:45:53.800
was going to wear it one way or the other.

1409
01:45:54.359 --> 01:46:00.159
Before he left. Floyd knelt beside the bed. Caro was

1410
01:46:00.199 --> 01:46:03.399
a side sleeper. He put his face right in front

1411
01:46:03.439 --> 01:46:07.840
of hers. He could smell mint from the scope mouthwash.

1412
01:46:08.239 --> 01:46:11.800
Floyd set the jewelry box on the nightstand beside a

1413
01:46:11.880 --> 01:46:16.640
long handled kitchen knife he pulled from the block. He

1414
01:46:16.680 --> 01:46:20.279
placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a

1415
01:46:20.359 --> 01:46:25.039
gentle shake. Her eyes opened wide, and she was about

1416
01:46:25.079 --> 01:46:28.239
to let out a scream when he placed his gloved

1417
01:46:28.359 --> 01:46:36.640
hand over her mouth. Sh Floyd began, and she stopped.

1418
01:46:37.920 --> 01:46:41.479
This isn't going to take very long. He grabbed the

1419
01:46:41.560 --> 01:46:45.000
knife with his free hand and held it to her neck.

1420
01:46:45.960 --> 01:46:49.399
If you scream, when I remove my hand, I'm going

1421
01:46:49.439 --> 01:46:53.720
to slit your throat, Floyd said, with a calmness that

1422
01:46:53.880 --> 01:46:58.520
frightened Carol to her core. She didn't know this version

1423
01:46:58.600 --> 01:47:02.560
of Floyd. She had never seen this version of Floyd.

1424
01:47:03.600 --> 01:47:07.119
She nodded, and he pulled his hand away from her mouth.

1425
01:47:08.600 --> 01:47:12.000
Oh shit, Floyd, I'm sorry, I really am. It's not

1426
01:47:12.199 --> 01:47:17.319
that serious, not that serious. I asked you to marry me,

1427
01:47:17.840 --> 01:47:21.319
and you acted like I was a leper, Floyd replied,

1428
01:47:21.760 --> 01:47:26.680
trying his best to temper his rising anger. That's not

1429
01:47:26.880 --> 01:47:29.680
what I meant. I know it was serious. I mean

1430
01:47:30.119 --> 01:47:33.439
I shouldn't have acted like that afterward. I could have

1431
01:47:33.520 --> 01:47:38.159
been better instead of blowing it out of proportion. I

1432
01:47:38.239 --> 01:47:40.479
swear to God that I made up my mind to

1433
01:47:40.560 --> 01:47:45.399
apologize to you tomorrow. If you just leave now, I

1434
01:47:45.439 --> 01:47:49.960
won't say shit to anybody. It'll be water under the bridge,

1435
01:47:50.119 --> 01:47:55.399
I promise you, Floyd, no bullshit, Carol said as convincingly

1436
01:47:55.760 --> 01:48:01.159
as she could, and she truly meant every word. She

1437
01:48:01.359 --> 01:48:06.760
wasn't going to say anything if Floyd just left. Floyd

1438
01:48:07.600 --> 01:48:11.960
didn't leave afraid. It's a bit too late for that.

1439
01:48:13.239 --> 01:48:16.680
It's funny, don't you think that we drew each other's names?

1440
01:48:17.600 --> 01:48:23.319
Crazy coincidence, Floyd said, as he handed Carol the Jared's box.

1441
01:48:24.359 --> 01:48:29.399
Open it, he commanded. Floyd moved the knife away from

1442
01:48:29.399 --> 01:48:33.239
her neck, but kept it trained on her as she

1443
01:48:33.359 --> 01:48:38.199
flipped open the box. The full carrot diamond engagement ring

1444
01:48:38.680 --> 01:48:43.920
was beautiful. Carol's eyes filled with tears, and they weren't

1445
01:48:44.000 --> 01:48:49.520
tears of joy. Put it on, Floyd said. Carol took

1446
01:48:49.560 --> 01:48:53.279
a measured breath and lifted it from its box and

1447
01:48:53.439 --> 01:48:57.600
placed it on the ring finger of her left hand. Floyd,

1448
01:48:57.840 --> 01:49:02.399
Please you know I still can can't marry you, Carol replied.

1449
01:49:03.159 --> 01:49:07.239
She couldn't believe she was actually saying it. Her survival

1450
01:49:07.279 --> 01:49:10.279
instinct was for shit, as her mind was screaming at

1451
01:49:10.279 --> 01:49:13.800
her to say yes. They could get married right then

1452
01:49:13.840 --> 01:49:17.359
if he wanted, But her emotions always seemed to override

1453
01:49:17.439 --> 01:49:22.600
reasonable thought. Oh no, I'm not asking you to marry

1454
01:49:22.640 --> 01:49:27.640
me again. That ship is sailed. I just wanted to

1455
01:49:27.680 --> 01:49:30.800
see how the ring looked on you before I give

1456
01:49:30.840 --> 01:49:34.960
it to the next lucky young woman, Floyd replied as

1457
01:49:35.000 --> 01:49:37.880
he quickly jumped on top of her, pinning her to

1458
01:49:37.960 --> 01:49:41.960
the mattress. The knife clanged onto the floor, and Floyd

1459
01:49:42.000 --> 01:49:47.159
had both hands firmly gripped around Carol's demure neck. He

1460
01:49:47.199 --> 01:49:50.920
would watch the life flee from her eyes before he

1461
01:49:50.960 --> 01:49:55.279
collected the ring and moved on with his life. Carol's

1462
01:49:55.279 --> 01:49:59.239
eyes were bugging as blood vessels began to burst. She

1463
01:49:59.439 --> 01:50:03.039
was bucking, but Floyd's weight was too much. He was

1464
01:50:03.079 --> 01:50:06.920
straddled across her torso, so she was kicking nothing but air,

1465
01:50:07.359 --> 01:50:10.520
and the energy of those kicks was quickly fading away.

1466
01:50:11.600 --> 01:50:14.720
Floyd was in a frenzy of rage, and it wouldn't

1467
01:50:14.720 --> 01:50:18.520
be long now Carol would be in his rear view mirror.

1468
01:50:19.479 --> 01:50:24.359
There are consequences, is what Floyd was thinking. When the

1469
01:50:24.439 --> 01:50:29.640
knife pierced him underneath the left shoulder blade, Floyd released

1470
01:50:29.680 --> 01:50:33.520
his grip and spun to see Santa Pete holding the

1471
01:50:33.600 --> 01:50:38.039
long handled kitchen knife. In the chaos, Floyd didn't hear

1472
01:50:38.159 --> 01:50:41.520
Santa Pete unlock the front door with the spare key.

1473
01:50:41.680 --> 01:50:45.239
Carol had trusted him with years ago when she had

1474
01:50:45.239 --> 01:50:49.479
gone on a cruise. Blood was spewing from Floyd's back,

1475
01:50:50.159 --> 01:50:53.600
but he had enough gumption to take out this fat

1476
01:50:53.680 --> 01:50:58.000
boy before he bled out. Santa Pete swung again with

1477
01:50:58.079 --> 01:51:02.159
the knife and Floyd blocked, knocking the knife back to

1478
01:51:02.199 --> 01:51:05.840
the floor. He punched Santa Pete with a straight right

1479
01:51:05.920 --> 01:51:10.800
hand to the face, immediately shattering Santa Pete's jolly red nose.

1480
01:51:11.760 --> 01:51:14.960
Santa Pete stumbled to the floor and was met with

1481
01:51:15.039 --> 01:51:18.560
a foot to the side of his dome. Carol was

1482
01:51:18.600 --> 01:51:23.239
still on the bed, gasping desperately for air. She needed

1483
01:51:23.279 --> 01:51:25.560
to get to the knife, but her mind could not

1484
01:51:25.720 --> 01:51:30.159
will her body to move. Floyd spat on Santa Pete

1485
01:51:30.520 --> 01:51:32.760
as he gave him a stern kick to the ribs

1486
01:51:33.119 --> 01:51:36.640
before leaning over to grab the knife. He turned his

1487
01:51:36.760 --> 01:51:41.960
attention back to Carol. Guess we all gotta go? Huh,

1488
01:51:42.279 --> 01:51:45.640
Floyd asked, as he raised the knife above his head.

1489
01:51:46.319 --> 01:51:49.359
He was going to slash her up Michael Meyers's style.

1490
01:51:50.680 --> 01:51:54.960
A shot rang out and the front of Floyd's head exploded,

1491
01:51:55.319 --> 01:52:00.760
with bone, brain, and gore covering Carol's face and neck.

1492
01:52:02.199 --> 01:52:06.279
Butch walked into the room. Santa Pete was struggling to

1493
01:52:06.319 --> 01:52:11.359
breathe with a broken face and equally broken ribs. Carol

1494
01:52:11.560 --> 01:52:15.560
was staring at the ceiling in shock. This shit could

1495
01:52:15.560 --> 01:52:20.600
not be real. Butch knelt beside Santa Pete and said,

1496
01:52:21.680 --> 01:52:25.079
I think your plan to rig Secret Santa. So they

1497
01:52:25.159 --> 01:52:30.039
drew each other didn't quite work out. Santa Pete flipped

1498
01:52:30.039 --> 01:52:36.640
Butch off and Carol cackled hysterically. Her brain was wrecked.

1499
01:52:37.920 --> 01:52:57.239
Butch called nine one one, fuck Secret Santa. Christmas Eve

1500
01:52:57.359 --> 01:53:05.840
babysitters by Rob Feels perspective Mona abels It's the weekend

1501
01:53:05.880 --> 01:53:08.720
before Christmas. As I'm walking in the door to my house,

1502
01:53:09.560 --> 01:53:12.600
I can't believe the night we just had. We all

1503
01:53:12.600 --> 01:53:15.279
had to deal with Ariel Mirn being possessed by the

1504
01:53:15.319 --> 01:53:19.399
spirit of Queen Arcadia. Said spirit used Ariel as her

1505
01:53:19.479 --> 01:53:23.520
vessel and wanted the souls of myself, Bailey Downs, Carter

1506
01:53:23.680 --> 01:53:26.399
Cross and Mouse Donnerly to be able to have enough

1507
01:53:26.439 --> 01:53:29.920
power to merge her virtual realm with the mortal realm

1508
01:53:30.359 --> 01:53:35.640
and make Christmas every day under her tyrannical rule. Oh

1509
01:53:35.680 --> 01:53:38.720
but the worst was yet to come. Once Ariel broke

1510
01:53:38.760 --> 01:53:42.680
free of Queen Arcadia's control, she practically commanded all of

1511
01:53:42.760 --> 01:53:45.159
us to come with her to her house inside the

1512
01:53:45.199 --> 01:53:50.079
gated community. She even invited Carter Cross, which she never

1513
01:53:50.239 --> 01:53:53.039
did before. As soon as the five of us went

1514
01:53:53.079 --> 01:53:57.199
into Ariel's house, it became an instant war zone. Ariel

1515
01:53:57.279 --> 01:53:59.399
screamed at the top of her lungs for her mom

1516
01:53:59.439 --> 01:54:03.039
to come out. When she did, Hugh should have seen

1517
01:54:03.119 --> 01:54:07.199
the look of surprise on her face. Adrian wasn't expecting

1518
01:54:07.239 --> 01:54:11.720
Ariel to ever come home again. Mother and daughter yelled

1519
01:54:11.720 --> 01:54:15.119
and screamed at each other. Even Ariel's own father wanted

1520
01:54:15.119 --> 01:54:19.720
her gone. Ariel finally lost it and started throwing everything

1521
01:54:19.760 --> 01:54:21.960
she could get her hands on at her mom and dad.

1522
01:54:22.880 --> 01:54:26.399
To be honest, I really don't blame Ariel for losing

1523
01:54:26.479 --> 01:54:31.279
her cool the way she did. Long story short, Ariel

1524
01:54:31.359 --> 01:54:35.039
left with us. Adrian called out behind Ariel that she

1525
01:54:35.119 --> 01:54:37.800
would only have the clothes on her back and that

1526
01:54:37.880 --> 01:54:42.000
she was never to come back home ever again. Carter

1527
01:54:42.119 --> 01:54:46.399
and Mouse walked Ariel back to their part of downtown village.

1528
01:54:46.479 --> 01:54:49.000
I think Mouse is going to convince her parents to

1529
01:54:49.119 --> 01:54:52.840
let Ariel stay with them. If Mouse can pull that off,

1530
01:54:53.159 --> 01:54:55.439
then I'll have to give that wicked little rodent a

1531
01:54:55.520 --> 01:54:59.760
lot of credit. Anyway, I'm still hungry and never got

1532
01:54:59.800 --> 01:55:01.960
to go. I go to Denoyer's grill like I wanted

1533
01:55:02.000 --> 01:55:07.720
to before Queen Arcadia captured me. Ow I'd grown. When

1534
01:55:07.720 --> 01:55:13.640
my tummy's telling me to get out there, stat I

1535
01:55:13.720 --> 01:55:16.960
know it's getting late. Good thing. Denoyer's is open twenty

1536
01:55:17.000 --> 01:55:20.800
four to seven, three sixty five. I'm ready to head

1537
01:55:20.840 --> 01:55:23.119
out the door and walk to the diner when I

1538
01:55:23.159 --> 01:55:26.560
see a message on the answering machine. Thinking about it,

1539
01:55:26.600 --> 01:55:29.840
my parents are still next door. I'm almost ready to

1540
01:55:29.920 --> 01:55:34.319
leave without listening to the message, but I reconsider it

1541
01:55:34.399 --> 01:55:38.720
might be important. Yes, this message is for Mona Abeles.

1542
01:55:39.199 --> 01:55:42.079
We were given your name by your principal at Strickfield

1543
01:55:42.119 --> 01:55:45.239
Junior High. We're looking for a babysitter to watch our

1544
01:55:45.319 --> 01:55:46.520
children on Christmas Eve.

1545
01:55:47.199 --> 01:55:50.239
If you're available, please call us at three three zero

1546
01:55:50.319 --> 01:55:53.199
five five five eight three five four at any time.

1547
01:55:53.680 --> 01:55:56.239
We're willing to make it worth your while. We'll even

1548
01:55:56.239 --> 01:55:59.199
pay you a bonus for a job well done. Also,

1549
01:55:59.319 --> 01:56:01.560
you can help yourself to anything out of our kitchen,

1550
01:56:02.079 --> 01:56:04.039
or we can leave you money to order some food.

1551
01:56:04.840 --> 01:56:07.000
Please let us know as soon as you can. My

1552
01:56:07.119 --> 01:56:10.119
name is Summer Miran again, call me at any time.

1553
01:56:12.039 --> 01:56:17.600
Ow I've grown again. When my stomach twists inside, Okay, okay,

1554
01:56:17.640 --> 01:56:20.760
I'm going I walk out the door and am on

1555
01:56:20.840 --> 01:56:24.359
my way to Denoyer's grill. The message said to call

1556
01:56:24.399 --> 01:56:27.520
any time, So I pull out my smartphone and call

1557
01:56:27.640 --> 01:56:31.640
this Summer Miran up. A woman answers on the second ring.

1558
01:56:32.279 --> 01:56:36.359
From there, Summer Miran introduces herself and starts talking to me.

1559
01:56:37.000 --> 01:56:40.079
She explains that she has two children. She wants me

1560
01:56:40.119 --> 01:56:43.079
to babysit and practically begs me to take the job.

1561
01:56:43.960 --> 01:56:47.119
Must be a pretty big Christmas Eve event this Mirran

1562
01:56:47.159 --> 01:56:50.000
couple is going to. I tell her I'll take it

1563
01:56:50.359 --> 01:56:58.760
and I'll be there on Christmas Eve night. It don't

1564
01:56:58.800 --> 01:57:02.920
take long for Christmas Night to come. Fortunately, Mom and

1565
01:57:03.000 --> 01:57:06.560
Dad aren't really doing anything special. They tell me to

1566
01:57:06.600 --> 01:57:08.720
be safe when I leave the house and head to

1567
01:57:08.760 --> 01:57:13.479
the gated community. In fact, the Mirran lady that's right,

1568
01:57:13.520 --> 01:57:16.960
her name is Summer Anyway, Summer texted me the gatecoade

1569
01:57:17.239 --> 01:57:21.279
to be able to enter. Speaking of texting, I'm chatting

1570
01:57:21.279 --> 01:57:24.760
it up with Bailey. She's already asking me about hanging

1571
01:57:24.760 --> 01:57:28.119
out at her house tomorrow. I always love hanging out

1572
01:57:28.119 --> 01:57:30.840
with my best friend. There's nothing I wouldn't do for

1573
01:57:30.920 --> 01:57:33.920
that girl. When she asks me what I'm doing, I

1574
01:57:34.000 --> 01:57:37.479
tell her I'm babysitting tonight. Then I get a video

1575
01:57:37.560 --> 01:57:41.000
call from her. When I answer it, Bailey's face appears.

1576
01:57:41.680 --> 01:57:47.640
Are you serious? She asks, you're babysitting tonight? Hey, these

1577
01:57:47.720 --> 01:57:50.640
Mirans are willing to pay me good money, not to mention,

1578
01:57:50.720 --> 01:57:53.000
they're letting me help myself to whatever I want in

1579
01:57:53.000 --> 01:57:56.600
their refrigerator. I tell her it's only a few minutes

1580
01:57:56.680 --> 01:58:00.920
later when I realize I'm walking right past Bailey's house. Suddenly,

1581
01:58:00.960 --> 01:58:04.399
the front door opens and the call ends. Bailey's coming

1582
01:58:04.399 --> 01:58:07.680
outside to meet me. I'm guessing you ain't got nothing

1583
01:58:07.720 --> 01:58:11.880
to do either, I ask her. Bailey shrugs. I suppose

1584
01:58:11.920 --> 01:58:14.239
I could have come up with something, But then I

1585
01:58:14.279 --> 01:58:16.920
saw you walking by my house and figured i'd walk

1586
01:58:16.960 --> 01:58:21.079
with you for a little bit. I laugh a little. Oh,

1587
01:58:21.119 --> 01:58:24.319
you're gonna walk me to the Miran's gate. She sweetens

1588
01:58:24.319 --> 01:58:26.640
the pod. I'll walk you to the house if you

1589
01:58:26.680 --> 01:58:31.960
want okay to the house, then I agree. So Bailey

1590
01:58:32.000 --> 01:58:34.239
and me walk and talk until we reach the mir

1591
01:58:34.520 --> 01:58:38.199
gated community. At least it ain't Adrian Miran, you're agreeing

1592
01:58:38.239 --> 01:58:43.359
to babysit for Bailey mutters or her sister Margaret. Oh,

1593
01:58:43.439 --> 01:58:47.800
I know, I agree. I'd never babysit for those people,

1594
01:58:48.399 --> 01:58:51.600
especially for little Stuart Miran. Do you ever see how

1595
01:58:51.680 --> 01:58:56.239
much trouble that little guy causes? After I punched the gatecode,

1596
01:58:56.640 --> 01:58:59.520
Bailey and I go in from there, I followed the

1597
01:58:59.520 --> 01:59:03.000
GPS on my phone until I reach four eighteen bel

1598
01:59:03.079 --> 01:59:07.119
Air Drive. This is it, Bailey, the home of Helmsley

1599
01:59:07.520 --> 01:59:11.520
and Summer Miran. Suddenly the porch lights blaze on and

1600
01:59:11.560 --> 01:59:14.800
scare Bailey and me. Then one of the French doors

1601
01:59:14.880 --> 01:59:18.199
opens up. Summer Miran comes right out onto the porch.

1602
01:59:18.960 --> 01:59:21.520
All right, which one of you girls is my babysitter

1603
01:59:21.520 --> 01:59:26.359
for tonight? She asks quickly. I slowly raise my hand. Um,

1604
01:59:27.199 --> 01:59:30.479
that would be me, and you brought your friend along

1605
01:59:30.520 --> 01:59:34.520
to keep you company. She further inquires, I was just

1606
01:59:34.600 --> 01:59:38.359
walking with Mona, Bailey tells her. In fact, I was

1607
01:59:38.479 --> 01:59:43.159
just leaving. Summer raises her hands in front of her quickly. No, no, no,

1608
01:59:43.840 --> 01:59:46.880
She sighs and lowers her hands. I don't mind if

1609
01:59:46.960 --> 01:59:50.079
your friend stays here with you, Mona. In fact, my

1610
01:59:50.159 --> 01:59:54.079
husband will pay you both. So Bailey and I both

1611
01:59:54.279 --> 01:59:57.600
got a babysitting job tonight. We walk to the porch

1612
01:59:57.640 --> 02:00:00.720
and up the steps to meet Summer. The she invites

1613
02:00:00.800 --> 02:00:03.640
us into her lavish home. She points to the both

1614
02:00:03.680 --> 02:00:08.000
of us and says, shoes off please. After we remove

1615
02:00:08.039 --> 02:00:11.039
our shoes and walk in our socks, we follow Summer

1616
02:00:11.079 --> 02:00:14.079
to what appears to be a playroom. Bailey and me

1617
02:00:14.159 --> 02:00:19.079
are finally gonna meet her two children. Lucius Pagan, these

1618
02:00:19.119 --> 02:00:22.560
two girls will be your sitters tonight. Summer points right

1619
02:00:22.600 --> 02:00:25.880
at them, and you will do what Mona and Bailey

1620
02:00:26.039 --> 02:00:29.960
tell you. Am I understood. The children look at us.

1621
02:00:30.520 --> 02:00:34.840
Then the girl Pagan asks her mother what happened to Monica.

1622
02:00:35.840 --> 02:00:39.760
Summer gets a little hot under the collar. Now Monica

1623
02:00:39.800 --> 02:00:44.279
was very irresponsible, so your father and I dealt with her.

1624
02:00:44.640 --> 02:00:48.560
She will never be sitting here again. Summer turns and

1625
02:00:48.600 --> 02:00:52.079
looks at us again. Okay, you girls, I'm going to

1626
02:00:52.119 --> 02:00:54.960
trust both of you tonight. My sister told me to

1627
02:00:55.000 --> 02:00:59.680
call Strickfield Junior High anyway. That's why you're both here now.

1628
02:00:59.720 --> 02:01:02.439
If there are no problems, my husband will pay you

1629
02:01:02.520 --> 02:01:05.800
both very well, and let me assure you. He tips

1630
02:01:06.199 --> 02:01:10.039
excellent for a job well done. Then she hands me

1631
02:01:10.079 --> 02:01:12.760
some money. I know there's a few places that are

1632
02:01:12.800 --> 02:01:15.800
open on Christmas Eve night that deliver if you girls

1633
02:01:15.800 --> 02:01:18.640
and the kids want to order food. After I take

1634
02:01:18.680 --> 02:01:21.920
the money, she gets real serious and takes us to

1635
02:01:22.000 --> 02:01:26.720
the kitchen. Then she points to the refrigerator. Phone numbers

1636
02:01:26.760 --> 02:01:30.359
are posted right here. Also, when I call to check

1637
02:01:30.359 --> 02:01:35.279
on the kids, you will answer promptly, understood, I reply.

1638
02:01:36.159 --> 02:01:39.840
When Bailey and me finally meet Helmsley Miron, he seems

1639
02:01:39.920 --> 02:01:43.439
less worried than his wife. Ah, I see you've hired

1640
02:01:43.479 --> 02:01:46.359
two sitters for tonight. I love how you're always on

1641
02:01:46.399 --> 02:01:50.920
top of things, honey. Then he comes and looks us over. Ah, yes,

1642
02:01:51.000 --> 02:01:54.960
Mona and Bailey, you too will do very nicely. I'm

1643
02:01:54.960 --> 02:01:57.880
sure Summer has told you everything that we expect from you.

1644
02:01:58.680 --> 02:02:03.079
We both nod. After a few more formalities, the Mirons

1645
02:02:03.119 --> 02:02:05.840
tell us they're probably going to be late. If they're

1646
02:02:05.840 --> 02:02:08.199
going to be any later than are agreed upon time,

1647
02:02:08.640 --> 02:02:12.359
they said they'd call and pay us both more. Helmsley

1648
02:02:12.439 --> 02:02:15.199
reminds us about how he'll tip us extra for a

1649
02:02:15.319 --> 02:02:18.840
job well done. When we assure him and his wife

1650
02:02:18.880 --> 02:02:22.840
that everything will be okay. The couple finally leaves and

1651
02:02:22.920 --> 02:02:26.239
go to whatever Christmas Eve gathering or event they're going to.

1652
02:02:27.399 --> 02:02:32.399
Then I noticed Bailey's eyes widen. What's wrong? She quickly

1653
02:02:32.439 --> 02:02:35.960
turns to me. Okay, I know you didn't know I

1654
02:02:36.039 --> 02:02:40.640
was coming here with you till now. She composes herself. Mona,

1655
02:02:41.640 --> 02:02:46.319
I never told those two my name. Yeah, you're right,

1656
02:02:46.760 --> 02:02:50.319
I agree. Then I shake my head a little. Don't

1657
02:02:50.359 --> 02:02:54.479
worry about it. Oh, I hope you're right, Bailey mutters.

1658
02:02:55.119 --> 02:02:57.399
Then she calls her parents to let them know where

1659
02:02:57.399 --> 02:02:59.520
she is and that she's going to be with me.

1660
02:03:00.479 --> 02:03:02.920
After she gets off the phone, she turns to me,

1661
02:03:03.640 --> 02:03:07.199
all good, let's go check on the kids. Bailey and

1662
02:03:07.239 --> 02:03:10.560
I return to the playroom where Lucius and Pagan still are.

1663
02:03:11.199 --> 02:03:15.279
They're playing video games together. What are your names again?

1664
02:03:15.760 --> 02:03:19.960
Pagan asks us, glancing over her shoulder. After we tell them,

1665
02:03:20.079 --> 02:03:23.079
we spend some time getting to know one another for

1666
02:03:23.119 --> 02:03:26.520
a while, we play video games together. Bailey can play

1667
02:03:26.600 --> 02:03:30.319
games better than me. Then I'm thinking maybe Mouse should

1668
02:03:30.319 --> 02:03:32.800
be here instead. I know she'd be able to beat

1669
02:03:32.840 --> 02:03:36.119
these too easily. I almost got half a mind to

1670
02:03:36.199 --> 02:03:39.319
call Mouse, but then I remember Ariels living at her

1671
02:03:39.319 --> 02:03:43.760
house now. Eventually we get done playing games. Now the

1672
02:03:43.840 --> 02:03:46.760
kids ask if we can watch a movie. They also

1673
02:03:46.840 --> 02:03:50.600
want to order a pizza. Fortunately, there's one pizza place

1674
02:03:50.640 --> 02:03:54.439
in Strickfield that stays open late on Christmas Eve. We

1675
02:03:54.520 --> 02:03:56.239
get our order in and are told it'll be a

1676
02:03:56.279 --> 02:03:59.319
half an hour to forty five minutes. Guess other people

1677
02:03:59.359 --> 02:04:02.960
are calling out for pizza tonight too. As for the movie,

1678
02:04:03.319 --> 02:04:06.760
we're watching the live action Cruella. Bailey and me have

1679
02:04:06.840 --> 02:04:09.000
watched this movie plenty of times when it came to

1680
02:04:09.039 --> 02:04:13.600
the Strickfield Centennial Theater. As we're watching the movie, Lucius

1681
02:04:13.640 --> 02:04:16.520
and Pagan start acting like kids and get to picking

1682
02:04:16.560 --> 02:04:19.520
on each other. Bailey tells them to behave when they

1683
02:04:19.520 --> 02:04:22.840
start wrestling on the couch. When they don't stop, she

1684
02:04:23.000 --> 02:04:26.479
threatens no pizza. They're back to sitting with us and

1685
02:04:26.560 --> 02:04:30.560
watching the movie. Before long, I get a text telling

1686
02:04:30.600 --> 02:04:33.600
me the pizzas are at the gate. Bailey says she'll

1687
02:04:33.640 --> 02:04:36.039
go out and get them. I hand her the money.

1688
02:04:36.479 --> 02:04:39.199
She puts her jacket and shoes on and heads out.

1689
02:04:39.560 --> 02:04:43.000
I'm surprised. Lucius and Pagan continue to remain calm while

1690
02:04:43.039 --> 02:04:47.439
Bailey's gone. We keep watching the movie It's about fifteen

1691
02:04:47.479 --> 02:04:50.680
minutes later when Bailey returns with the food. The kids

1692
02:04:50.680 --> 02:04:53.199
get all excited when they see the two pizza boxes

1693
02:04:53.199 --> 02:04:57.880
she's carrying. Okay, you two, let's dig in, I tell them,

1694
02:04:57.920 --> 02:05:00.880
as Bailey brings the food to the kitchen. Once we

1695
02:05:00.960 --> 02:05:03.760
have our plates of pizza and cans of soda, we

1696
02:05:03.840 --> 02:05:07.039
return to the living room couch to finish watching Cruella.

1697
02:05:07.720 --> 02:05:10.600
Once the movie's done, the phone rings. I get up

1698
02:05:10.680 --> 02:05:13.520
and go into the kitchen to answer it. It's Summer

1699
02:05:13.640 --> 02:05:17.560
calling to inquire about the kids, as she promised. When

1700
02:05:17.600 --> 02:05:19.800
she wants to talk to them, I call them in

1701
02:05:19.840 --> 02:05:22.720
and hand the phone to Lucius. After he talks with

1702
02:05:22.760 --> 02:05:25.720
his mom, he hands the phone to Pagan, and all

1703
02:05:26.079 --> 02:05:28.600
the kids tell Summer they're having fun with us and

1704
02:05:28.640 --> 02:05:32.640
that they want us back again. When Pagan finishes, she

1705
02:05:32.760 --> 02:05:35.920
hands the receiver back to me. Summer tells me not

1706
02:05:36.000 --> 02:05:38.760
to let the children stay up too late before we

1707
02:05:38.880 --> 02:05:42.159
end the conversation. After we hang up, we head back

1708
02:05:42.199 --> 02:05:45.159
to the living room. Where are your parents at tonight?

1709
02:05:45.439 --> 02:05:48.720
I asked the kids, did they tell you? I think

1710
02:05:48.800 --> 02:05:51.439
Dad said something about doing some book reading with some

1711
02:05:51.600 --> 02:05:56.039
friends or something. Lucius answers that's usually what they tell

1712
02:05:56.079 --> 02:05:59.359
Pagan in me when we need a sitter book reading.

1713
02:05:59.600 --> 02:06:06.520
I'm on Christmas Eve night. Bailey ads, that's interesting. We're

1714
02:06:06.600 --> 02:06:10.880
about thirty minutes into the second movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas.

1715
02:06:11.319 --> 02:06:16.439
When Pagan rests against me, Lucius leans on Bailey. I

1716
02:06:16.520 --> 02:06:22.000
smile a little and ruffle Pagan's hair. Suddenly, some thing

1717
02:06:22.239 --> 02:06:24.960
bursts through the glass door leading out to the end

1718
02:06:25.000 --> 02:06:28.119
ground swimming pool. Boy, do the four of us ever

1719
02:06:28.279 --> 02:06:31.840
scream like a choir of banshees as the monster expands

1720
02:06:31.880 --> 02:06:36.319
its chest and roars something you want to tell me? Mona,

1721
02:06:36.680 --> 02:06:39.760
Bailey yells. Do you think I knew about that thing?

1722
02:06:40.079 --> 02:06:43.680
I yelled back. We quickly get the kids upstairs and

1723
02:06:43.800 --> 02:06:46.640
hide in one of the many bedrooms. All the doors

1724
02:06:46.680 --> 02:06:51.880
were closed, so hopefully that thing doesn't somehow pick the

1725
02:06:51.960 --> 02:06:57.880
right door. What is that thing? Lucius stammers, We don't know,

1726
02:06:58.399 --> 02:07:01.760
Bailey moans, we just have to hope it don't come

1727
02:07:01.760 --> 02:07:06.479
in here. Suddenly the monster crashes right through our door.

1728
02:07:06.760 --> 02:07:09.560
We all scream again. Then Bailey and I open some

1729
02:07:09.720 --> 02:07:13.359
drawers to find clothes. We're in your parents' room, right,

1730
02:07:13.640 --> 02:07:17.479
I say to the kids, you didn't know that Lucius yells,

1731
02:07:18.119 --> 02:07:20.359
Mona and me never been in your house until tonight,

1732
02:07:20.760 --> 02:07:24.880
Bailey protests. When the monster roars, Bailey and me start

1733
02:07:24.880 --> 02:07:27.880
grabbing clothes and throwing them at the thing. While the

1734
02:07:27.920 --> 02:07:32.319
monster's distracted, the kids sneak out into the hallway. We

1735
02:07:32.399 --> 02:07:36.840
have to protect those kids, Bailey tells me, no, duh,

1736
02:07:36.960 --> 02:07:41.239
I return. The monster roars again and comes right at us.

1737
02:07:41.840 --> 02:07:47.279
Then I get its attention. Heres, monster, monster, come and

1738
02:07:47.359 --> 02:07:51.319
get me, I tease. I would have expected my bestie

1739
02:07:51.359 --> 02:07:54.399
to haul herself out the door. Instead, she grabs a

1740
02:07:54.439 --> 02:07:57.439
wooden chair and breaks it all to pieces over its back.

1741
02:07:58.319 --> 02:08:01.399
I can't really be mad at Bailey, though, truth be told,

1742
02:08:01.439 --> 02:08:04.319
I'd have done the same thing. Bailey and me have

1743
02:08:04.359 --> 02:08:07.279
always been there for each other since we became best

1744
02:08:07.279 --> 02:08:11.399
friends many years ago. The monster turns to Bailey and

1745
02:08:11.439 --> 02:08:14.520
tries grabbing her. Then I cry out and jump on

1746
02:08:14.560 --> 02:08:19.760
the things back run Bailey. Now the monster's turning this way,

1747
02:08:20.039 --> 02:08:22.960
and that I'm holding on like I'm riding one of

1748
02:08:22.960 --> 02:08:26.560
those mechanical bulls you see in the movies. Believe me,

1749
02:08:26.760 --> 02:08:29.239
I ain't holding on tight because I want to ride

1750
02:08:29.239 --> 02:08:31.720
this thing. I know if it flings me off I'm

1751
02:08:31.760 --> 02:08:36.840
gonna go flying somewhere fast, but Bailey doesn't run. Instead,

1752
02:08:36.920 --> 02:08:40.000
she takes after Johnny Cage out of those Mortal Kombat

1753
02:08:40.119 --> 02:08:43.199
video games by doing the splits and popping the monster

1754
02:08:43.359 --> 02:08:47.520
right in the gut. It growls and is stunned. I

1755
02:08:47.640 --> 02:08:50.560
quickly get off the things back. Then Bailey and me

1756
02:08:50.680 --> 02:08:53.720
run out. The kids are waiting for us. When we're

1757
02:08:53.760 --> 02:08:57.560
almost to them, they start sliding down the stairs. Us

1758
02:08:57.600 --> 02:09:00.199
girls are taking two or three steps at a time time.

1759
02:09:00.760 --> 02:09:04.319
Eventually we make it to the bottom. We might as

1760
02:09:04.399 --> 02:09:06.960
well be back at the Home Sweet Home orphanage when

1761
02:09:07.000 --> 02:09:09.159
Crampis was trying to get us a few weeks ago.

1762
02:09:09.680 --> 02:09:13.199
Bailey mutters, oh, you want to go back and face

1763
02:09:13.279 --> 02:09:18.399
Crampis again. I mutter back, as if we decide to

1764
02:09:18.399 --> 02:09:22.279
try hiding in one of the rooms in the downstairs hallway, Mona,

1765
02:09:22.920 --> 02:09:26.880
Bailey shrieks. We all scream and find ourselves sliding on

1766
02:09:26.920 --> 02:09:30.039
the polished wood floor. We're all on our butts and

1767
02:09:30.079 --> 02:09:35.039
looking down the hallway to see another monster standing there.

1768
02:09:35.640 --> 02:09:40.840
The monster chasing us is red. This one's a black color.

1769
02:09:41.479 --> 02:09:43.960
It grins and roars at us. As we're getting back

1770
02:09:44.039 --> 02:09:48.199
up this way, Bailey calls out. I turn and ease

1771
02:09:48.239 --> 02:09:51.279
the kids towards Bailey. We follow her and go down

1772
02:09:51.319 --> 02:09:54.560
another hallway. It's hard to run when our socks keep

1773
02:09:54.640 --> 02:09:57.680
slipping and sliding on the wooden floor. We can hear

1774
02:09:57.760 --> 02:10:01.359
both of those things roaring, too bad. The floors ain't

1775
02:10:01.399 --> 02:10:05.840
slowing them down. We eventually come to more doors. Bailey

1776
02:10:05.960 --> 02:10:10.640
opens one. We'll hide in here. She says. It's a

1777
02:10:10.640 --> 02:10:15.000
well stocked pantry. Bailey pulls the door shut. I motion

1778
02:10:15.199 --> 02:10:18.680
for us to be quiet. It's not long before we

1779
02:10:18.760 --> 02:10:23.359
hear those monsters scurrying past us. I pull my smartphone

1780
02:10:23.359 --> 02:10:26.439
out and turn on the flash. Bailey does the same.

1781
02:10:27.399 --> 02:10:30.239
Now we're texting each other, so we don't talk out loud.

1782
02:10:30.920 --> 02:10:33.199
We agree it's best to wait for a little bit.

1783
02:10:33.960 --> 02:10:37.359
Lucius and Pagan are both holding each other. We motion

1784
02:10:37.560 --> 02:10:40.560
for them to be quiet. Then I type on my

1785
02:10:40.720 --> 02:10:45.680
phone and show them that we'll get out of here shortly. Suddenly,

1786
02:10:45.760 --> 02:10:48.520
two hands come right through the wall behind Bailey and

1787
02:10:48.600 --> 02:10:53.119
grab her shoulders. Now we're all screaming again. Help me,

1788
02:10:53.680 --> 02:10:59.439
Bailey yells. Then she screams again. The monster that grabbed

1789
02:10:59.479 --> 02:11:02.880
Bailey breaks more of the wall before pulling Bailey through

1790
02:11:03.640 --> 02:11:05.680
the rest of us quickly come out and see the

1791
02:11:05.760 --> 02:11:09.439
monsters holding her over one shoulder as she's punching its

1792
02:11:09.479 --> 02:11:14.439
back with her fists. Let me go, Bailey growls. I

1793
02:11:14.560 --> 02:11:18.239
remember how slippery the wooden floor is and have an idea.

1794
02:11:18.840 --> 02:11:21.159
I run at the creature and then slide right into

1795
02:11:21.199 --> 02:11:24.279
home plate to clip the monster's leg and make it fall,

1796
02:11:24.600 --> 02:11:27.960
letting Bailey go. Bailey and I quickly get up and

1797
02:11:28.039 --> 02:11:31.560
return to the kids. Just then the black monster is

1798
02:11:31.600 --> 02:11:34.359
almost on us. The four of us are running again.

1799
02:11:35.199 --> 02:11:38.640
This is a pretty big house. The only problem is

1800
02:11:38.680 --> 02:11:42.800
those monsters keep finding us. Seriously, what are they even

1801
02:11:43.199 --> 02:11:47.920
doing here? What do they even want? You? Getting the

1802
02:11:48.000 --> 02:11:52.720
feeling that that Mirr and couple wasn't completely honest with us,

1803
02:11:53.079 --> 02:11:57.840
Bailey asks me. I nod quickly. Yeah, I'm starting to

1804
02:11:57.880 --> 02:12:01.079
feel that way right about now. We run into the

1805
02:12:01.159 --> 02:12:04.920
kitchen again. Then I get an idea. I open the

1806
02:12:04.960 --> 02:12:08.520
refrigerator door and pull what's left of a big HOGI out.

1807
02:12:08.720 --> 02:12:11.880
Then I throw it in front of those things. You

1808
02:12:11.920 --> 02:12:15.279
guys are hungry, right, I ask them, well, eat up.

1809
02:12:15.960 --> 02:12:19.640
The red monster picks up the sub, sniffs it, then

1810
02:12:19.800 --> 02:12:23.520
sucks it into its big mouth. Bailey pulls what's left

1811
02:12:23.520 --> 02:12:26.319
of a roast out and throws it at them. The

1812
02:12:26.319 --> 02:12:30.359
black monster picks it up and starts eating. Lucius grabs

1813
02:12:30.399 --> 02:12:32.800
what's left of our pizzas and throws them their way.

1814
02:12:33.439 --> 02:12:36.159
There's plenty of food and drink here in this refrigerator,

1815
02:12:36.680 --> 02:12:39.399
no wonder, Summer told Bailey in me we could have

1816
02:12:39.479 --> 02:12:42.640
whatever we wanted from in there. I open the freezer

1817
02:12:42.680 --> 02:12:46.079
and see all kinds of ice cream. I quickly whisper

1818
02:12:46.159 --> 02:12:49.800
my idea and Bailey's ear. Then she helps me grab

1819
02:12:49.800 --> 02:12:52.840
the ice cream and throw it at those monsters. They

1820
02:12:52.880 --> 02:12:56.199
scoop it up and devour it. It ain't long before

1821
02:12:56.239 --> 02:12:59.640
we see my plan works. The monsters stop eating and

1822
02:12:59.640 --> 02:13:04.199
put their hands to their heads. Brain freeze, Bailey tells

1823
02:13:04.239 --> 02:13:08.520
the kids. With the monsters Temporarily stunned, the four of

1824
02:13:08.600 --> 02:13:12.600
us run again. We turn and go down yet another hallway.

1825
02:13:13.119 --> 02:13:16.199
Soon we come into a game room. There's stuff ranging

1826
02:13:16.239 --> 02:13:20.000
from arcade cabinets to even a full scale VR cabinet.

1827
02:13:20.800 --> 02:13:25.319
Soon we hear those monsters roaring. They'll be on us again. Soon.

1828
02:13:26.159 --> 02:13:30.399
Bailey quickly closes the door and locks it. Then she

1829
02:13:30.600 --> 02:13:34.880
moves to a nearby couch. Help me mona. I move

1830
02:13:34.960 --> 02:13:37.479
to the couch and help Bailey move it against the door.

1831
02:13:38.119 --> 02:13:41.359
We quickly pick up some stuff toss it onto the couch,

1832
02:13:41.760 --> 02:13:45.520
trying to weigh it down a little more. Eventually Bailey

1833
02:13:45.560 --> 02:13:48.319
and me both climb up and sit on top of

1834
02:13:48.399 --> 02:13:53.399
the stuff. Bailey looks at Lucius and Pagan, either of

1835
02:13:53.439 --> 02:13:57.119
you know what's going on with those things out there.

1836
02:13:58.039 --> 02:14:00.880
The kids look at each other, then they look at

1837
02:14:00.960 --> 02:14:06.920
us and shake their heads. I laugh a little. See now,

1838
02:14:07.119 --> 02:14:09.880
why don't we believe the two of you? I have

1839
02:14:10.000 --> 02:14:13.159
the feeling you kids have had babysitters before, and those

1840
02:14:13.800 --> 02:14:19.560
things came after them too, didn't they. The kids remain quiet.

1841
02:14:19.720 --> 02:14:23.000
Then we hear a loud slam outside. Bailey and I

1842
02:14:23.079 --> 02:14:25.920
both look at each other. We have to get out

1843
02:14:25.960 --> 02:14:30.000
of here, girl. Bailey says, we can't leave the kids, though,

1844
02:14:30.800 --> 02:14:34.720
we'll take them with us. I assure her, the monsters

1845
02:14:34.760 --> 02:14:38.520
will just follow you. Pagan blurts out they followed the

1846
02:14:38.560 --> 02:14:42.880
other babysitters too. Bailey and Me look at each other again,

1847
02:14:43.800 --> 02:14:47.199
then Bailey points right at them as another loud crash

1848
02:14:47.279 --> 02:14:50.840
hits the door. Yeah, you two definitely know more than

1849
02:14:50.880 --> 02:14:54.039
you're letting on. Why do those monsters keep showing up

1850
02:14:54.039 --> 02:14:59.239
when babysitters are here. Suddenly, a big, hairy hand crashes

1851
02:14:59.319 --> 02:15:02.680
right through the door and almost grabs my hair. Bailey

1852
02:15:02.680 --> 02:15:05.760
and me cry out and leap off the couch. Thankfully,

1853
02:15:05.760 --> 02:15:08.479
the floor in this game room is carpeted, or we'd

1854
02:15:08.560 --> 02:15:11.880
probably both have slipped and fallen on our butts. We

1855
02:15:12.000 --> 02:15:14.720
both see the big monster hand trying to push the

1856
02:15:14.760 --> 02:15:18.479
loaded couch away. I pick up a poll table stick

1857
02:15:18.520 --> 02:15:21.960
and start smacking the hand with it. The hand quickly

1858
02:15:22.000 --> 02:15:24.520
grabs it from me and pulls it out. I hear

1859
02:15:24.560 --> 02:15:28.560
the pole stick snap. Shortly after. The door comes apart

1860
02:15:28.600 --> 02:15:31.159
at the top half, so the red monster can stick

1861
02:15:31.199 --> 02:15:34.680
its head in. We can see the black monster behind it.

1862
02:15:35.520 --> 02:15:39.239
We can't get out of here, Lucius cries. Then I

1863
02:15:39.319 --> 02:15:44.000
see the window. Only problem is the glass looks really thick.

1864
02:15:44.640 --> 02:15:46.960
It's not the kind of window we can just open

1865
02:15:47.039 --> 02:15:50.399
up and escape through. The next thing I know, Bailey

1866
02:15:50.479 --> 02:15:53.119
comes to me and whispers an idea in my ear.

1867
02:15:53.880 --> 02:15:56.720
I nod fast and turn to the kids. I motion

1868
02:15:56.840 --> 02:15:58.920
for them to hide before I turn the light off.

1869
02:15:59.640 --> 02:16:01.479
As soon when is Bailey and me are hidden. The

1870
02:16:01.479 --> 02:16:04.840
rest of the door comes away. Then the monsters push

1871
02:16:04.920 --> 02:16:08.840
the loaded couch aside. When they fully come into the room,

1872
02:16:09.279 --> 02:16:11.720
we all come out of our hiding places and escape

1873
02:16:11.800 --> 02:16:15.600
through the door. We're putting distance in between them. When

1874
02:16:15.680 --> 02:16:19.479
Lucius slips and falls, when he cries out, we know

1875
02:16:19.760 --> 02:16:21.760
it's only going to be a matter of time before

1876
02:16:21.760 --> 02:16:26.520
those monsters are on us again. My ankle, it hurts,

1877
02:16:27.119 --> 02:16:30.800
Lucius groans, holding it. I got you, I say, and

1878
02:16:30.840 --> 02:16:34.399
lift the boy into my arms. Those things are coming,

1879
02:16:34.920 --> 02:16:40.239
Bailey yells, I can't run no more. Pagan groans. Bailey

1880
02:16:40.280 --> 02:16:43.079
scoops her up and carries her. We're getting out of

1881
02:16:43.120 --> 02:16:46.520
here right now. I open the first door I come to.

1882
02:16:47.159 --> 02:16:50.360
It's a huge garage. When we're all inside, I pull

1883
02:16:50.399 --> 02:16:54.639
the door shut. That won't keep them out, I tell Bailey.

1884
02:16:55.280 --> 02:16:58.000
She pulls her smartphone out and turns on the camera.

1885
02:16:58.040 --> 02:17:01.520
Flash see if there's a garag door open her here somewhere.

1886
02:17:02.200 --> 02:17:05.719
Then she groans, too bad, mouse ain't here with us.

1887
02:17:06.120 --> 02:17:07.719
She could have driven us out of here in one

1888
02:17:07.719 --> 02:17:13.000
of these cars. We can drive these cars, I state, confidently,

1889
02:17:13.760 --> 02:17:16.600
we don't need that wicked little rodent. How hard can

1890
02:17:16.680 --> 02:17:20.360
driving a car be? I believe I told you before.

1891
02:17:20.440 --> 02:17:23.840
Mona we don't play driving video games religiously the way

1892
02:17:24.079 --> 02:17:28.000
mouse does. Bailey reminds me, No, really, how hard can

1893
02:17:28.120 --> 02:17:32.319
driving a car be? I persist, first, it's a problem

1894
02:17:32.399 --> 02:17:36.440
for sure, since these cars are locked, Bailey points out.

1895
02:17:36.840 --> 02:17:39.239
I hate to admit it, but she's got me there.

1896
02:17:40.000 --> 02:17:43.840
Then she further throws water on my fire. And where

1897
02:17:43.840 --> 02:17:46.559
would we get the keys or fobs to start them?

1898
02:17:47.520 --> 02:17:54.559
She sighs, So there's no point calling mouse. Ah, I

1899
02:17:54.639 --> 02:17:58.520
growl loudly. Then I see the button and push it. Yes,

1900
02:17:59.000 --> 02:18:02.319
we are out of here, Bailey cries excitedly. When the

1901
02:18:02.399 --> 02:18:06.159
light comes on and the door starts opening. As the

1902
02:18:06.159 --> 02:18:10.239
one garage door is halfway up, the red monster bursts

1903
02:18:10.319 --> 02:18:12.719
through the side door we came in and is in

1904
02:18:12.799 --> 02:18:15.920
the garage with us. We quickly move the children to

1905
02:18:16.000 --> 02:18:19.600
the half open garage door and put them through. Get

1906
02:18:19.600 --> 02:18:22.879
out of here, I tell them. As Bailey and me

1907
02:18:22.959 --> 02:18:25.920
are about to duck and join them, we're both grabbed

1908
02:18:25.959 --> 02:18:29.360
by the monsters and pulled back. Then the black monster

1909
02:18:29.440 --> 02:18:34.200
presses the button to stop the garage door. Then the

1910
02:18:34.319 --> 02:18:41.959
creature speaks, okay, kids, come back in here. The monster

1911
02:18:42.120 --> 02:18:47.159
sounds like it has a woman's voice. Lucius and Pagan

1912
02:18:47.360 --> 02:18:52.920
both come back inside. Yes, mom, they say together. Bailey

1913
02:18:52.959 --> 02:18:57.520
and me both look at each other, Mom, We ask together,

1914
02:18:58.520 --> 02:19:03.639
now we think we understand everything. Your children are working

1915
02:19:03.719 --> 02:19:07.200
with you. I yell at the red monster, who's got

1916
02:19:07.239 --> 02:19:12.600
to be the dad, explain yourselves right now. The monsters

1917
02:19:12.600 --> 02:19:16.479
put Bailey and me down and transform back into Helmsley

1918
02:19:16.559 --> 02:19:19.959
and Summer Mirran. Bailey and I look at each other now.

1919
02:19:20.520 --> 02:19:24.079
Then we look back at them. It looks like you

1920
02:19:24.159 --> 02:19:28.840
both passed the test. Hemsley tells us. You see, every

1921
02:19:28.920 --> 02:19:32.959
babysitter we've employed to watch our children has always proven

1922
02:19:33.000 --> 02:19:38.000
to be most irresponsible, So we decided to start testing

1923
02:19:38.040 --> 02:19:41.040
each babysitter we'd hire to make sure they were the

1924
02:19:41.120 --> 02:19:44.719
right ones. And you two have shown your more than

1925
02:19:44.799 --> 02:19:49.079
responsible Summer ads. Neither of you were willing to abandon

1926
02:19:49.120 --> 02:19:53.200
our children. You even put them before yourselves, the way

1927
02:19:53.600 --> 02:19:59.159
good babysitters should. You mentioned some chick named Monica earlier,

1928
02:19:59.600 --> 02:20:05.799
Bailey notes summer groans and frustration. Monica was the most

1929
02:20:05.840 --> 02:20:10.120
irresponsible sitter of all. She actually had a boyfriend over

1930
02:20:10.159 --> 02:20:14.079
here in our house. That meant she wasn't paying the

1931
02:20:14.200 --> 02:20:18.719
least bit of attention to Lucius and Pagan quite right.

1932
02:20:19.159 --> 02:20:22.319
Helmsley agrees, But the two of you were there for

1933
02:20:22.399 --> 02:20:25.520
our children from the time we left, showing you would

1934
02:20:25.520 --> 02:20:29.959
never neglect them. Our prior babysitters were highly recommended from

1935
02:20:30.040 --> 02:20:34.479
other family members in our gated community. I can't imagine

1936
02:20:34.520 --> 02:20:37.959
how not with how irresponsible we found them all to be.

1937
02:20:39.040 --> 02:20:42.120
So my sister told me that babysitters could be found

1938
02:20:42.159 --> 02:20:45.719
at either the junior high or the high schools, so

1939
02:20:45.959 --> 02:20:49.280
I decided to give them a try. Of course, we

1940
02:20:49.319 --> 02:20:53.520
would still have to test them, Summer says. We picked

1941
02:20:53.559 --> 02:20:57.000
you Mona Abeles. Of course we didn't know you'd bring

1942
02:20:57.079 --> 02:21:00.879
Bailey along. Again. I was just going to walk with

1943
02:21:00.959 --> 02:21:04.280
Mona to the house here and leave. Bailey reminds her.

1944
02:21:04.920 --> 02:21:07.959
I wasn't going to just come inside while you two

1945
02:21:07.959 --> 02:21:11.479
were gone. You ended up hiring me too, though. Then

1946
02:21:11.600 --> 02:21:15.280
Pagan asks her parents, can we keep Mona and Bailey

1947
02:21:15.319 --> 02:21:21.719
as our babysitters please? Yeah? They're both really cool. We

1948
02:21:21.879 --> 02:21:26.639
like them a lot, Lucius agrees. Summer clears her throat.

1949
02:21:27.520 --> 02:21:31.120
It looks like our kids have spoken. May we humbly

1950
02:21:31.280 --> 02:21:34.399
call upon the two of you to babysit Lucius and

1951
02:21:34.440 --> 02:21:37.680
Pagan again in the future. The two of us hold

1952
02:21:37.680 --> 02:21:40.799
our hands up in front of us. Ah, no way,

1953
02:21:41.559 --> 02:21:46.239
Bailey declares. Yeah, it's one thing for us to babysit kids,

1954
02:21:46.280 --> 02:21:51.079
but the fact that their parents are both monsters. I add,

1955
02:21:51.600 --> 02:21:55.360
that's a little more than we bargain for. Open the

1956
02:21:55.360 --> 02:21:59.559
door and let us out. Bailey snaps. Now, Summer looks

1957
02:21:59.559 --> 02:22:03.520
sad and sighs. Pay them and let them go. Helmsley

1958
02:22:04.639 --> 02:22:07.399
the dad sighs as well and pulls out a wad

1959
02:22:07.440 --> 02:22:10.319
of money. Sure enough, he paid both of us what

1960
02:22:10.399 --> 02:22:14.559
Summer promised, plus a huge bonus I'm guessing for passing

1961
02:22:14.559 --> 02:22:19.319
their tests. Then Summer opens the garage door. You too,

1962
02:22:19.360 --> 02:22:22.879
are free to go, she tells us. Then she turns

1963
02:22:22.920 --> 02:22:25.840
to her husband. It looks like we'll need to cancel

1964
02:22:25.920 --> 02:22:28.959
and stay home with our children since we no longer

1965
02:22:29.000 --> 02:22:32.479
have babysitters. Bailey and me look at each other again.

1966
02:22:33.319 --> 02:22:37.200
We both sigh and face them. Go ahead and go,

1967
02:22:37.799 --> 02:22:42.319
Bailey says, we'll finish out Christmas Eve night. Yeah, you

1968
02:22:42.360 --> 02:22:45.760
did pay us in full, so we'll finish the job.

1969
02:22:46.079 --> 02:22:49.600
I add. The kids are both excited that we're staying

1970
02:22:49.639 --> 02:22:55.239
after all. Are you sure, Summer asks, We're sure? I reply,

1971
02:22:56.159 --> 02:22:59.639
so Bailey and Me stay with Lucius and Pagan. Oh

1972
02:22:59.680 --> 02:23:03.440
and at this all the damage that those monsters caused

1973
02:23:03.440 --> 02:23:08.280
in the house, Summer easily cast a spell to fix everything.

1974
02:23:08.879 --> 02:23:11.879
They even gave us money to order more pizza since

1975
02:23:12.000 --> 02:23:15.440
they ate what was left of ours from earlier. Bailey

1976
02:23:15.440 --> 02:23:18.600
and I didn't finish with babysitting until almost three am.

1977
02:23:19.479 --> 02:23:22.479
The kids were sound asleep in their beds. When Helmsley

1978
02:23:22.559 --> 02:23:26.239
and Summer finally returned home. They gave us a little

1979
02:23:26.239 --> 02:23:29.680
more money for being an hour late. Before we left,

1980
02:23:29.719 --> 02:23:32.440
they talked to both of us and asked us again

1981
02:23:32.520 --> 02:23:36.360
if we'd consider being their babysitters when they needed us.

1982
02:23:37.200 --> 02:23:39.879
Bailey and me both talked about this after the kids

1983
02:23:39.879 --> 02:23:42.680
were put to bed, because we figured they would try

1984
02:23:42.719 --> 02:23:46.719
and change our minds again. The Mirons promised they wouldn't

1985
02:23:46.760 --> 02:23:49.719
monster out on us again and that no harm would

1986
02:23:49.719 --> 02:23:55.239
come to us unless we became irresponsible. Probably against our

1987
02:23:55.280 --> 02:23:59.559
better judgments, we agreed to continue being the babysitters for

1988
02:23:59.600 --> 02:24:03.120
this house, not because of how Helmsley and Summer we're

1989
02:24:03.120 --> 02:24:08.040
paying us well, but because we really liked Lucius and Pagan.

1990
02:24:08.760 --> 02:24:12.399
We already knew they liked us. Bailey and me leave

1991
02:24:12.479 --> 02:24:16.799
the gated community and walk back to our houses. Boy,

1992
02:24:17.639 --> 02:24:20.559
just wait till the others hear about this, I say,

1993
02:24:21.440 --> 02:24:25.239
you know, they'll believe it, considering everything we've been through recently.

1994
02:24:25.760 --> 02:24:31.120
Bailey agrees you stopping over tomorrow, probably in the afternoon.

1995
02:24:31.479 --> 02:24:35.120
I assure her. Bailey and I hug and wish each

1996
02:24:35.159 --> 02:24:39.319
other a Merry Christmas before we separate. She goes into

1997
02:24:39.319 --> 02:24:43.079
her house and I head for home. And that is

1998
02:24:43.079 --> 02:24:47.440
where this crazy holiday adventure ends. But don't worry, we'll

1999
02:24:47.440 --> 02:24:51.280
definitely be back with more adventures, probably in the new year.

2000
02:24:52.280 --> 02:25:13.200
Merry Christmas. Christmas at Murder Mansion by Rob Fields Perspective Harpy,

2001
02:25:13.959 --> 02:25:17.399
It's gonna be Christmas in another couple of days. Harpy's

2002
02:25:17.440 --> 02:25:20.200
got to admit to being all giddy when it's Christmas time.

2003
02:25:20.799 --> 02:25:23.959
Right now, Harpy's working on a new job, also my

2004
02:25:24.120 --> 02:25:27.079
first job here at Strickfield Town and sent a mall.

2005
02:25:28.079 --> 02:25:32.920
Harpy's a security guard working nights. How'd that happen? You ask? Well?

2006
02:25:32.959 --> 02:25:35.799
A few days ago, Bethy, the other half a Harpy

2007
02:25:36.239 --> 02:25:39.319
was eating some large pizzas at Scatto's in the food court.

2008
02:25:39.840 --> 02:25:43.559
Of course, Bethy couldn't be left alone. This gang comes

2009
02:25:43.600 --> 02:25:46.399
running out of nowhere with both Harmony Mirn, the owner

2010
02:25:46.399 --> 02:25:49.200
of the mall, and a bunch of security guards chasing them.

2011
02:25:49.799 --> 02:25:53.120
Then one of the fuckers grabs Bethy and Yankster to them.

2012
02:25:53.360 --> 02:25:55.760
The gang's using Bethy as a shield to get the

2013
02:25:55.799 --> 02:25:59.159
guards to back off. Bethy was real scared at being

2014
02:25:59.200 --> 02:26:03.520
held hostage. Then she screamed and tried getting away. One

2015
02:26:03.520 --> 02:26:06.079
of those fuckers caught her and threw her under the table.

2016
02:26:06.799 --> 02:26:10.120
Bethy got real mad and had no objections whatsoever to

2017
02:26:10.200 --> 02:26:13.959
let an old Harpy out. Funny thing. Bethy and me

2018
02:26:14.159 --> 02:26:18.280
kind of look alike, but we got differences. Bethy's shoulder

2019
02:26:18.360 --> 02:26:22.879
length red hair changed to long flowing violet hair. Bethy's

2020
02:26:22.920 --> 02:26:26.840
green eyes became Harpy's red ones. Also, I removed Bethy's

2021
02:26:26.879 --> 02:26:30.639
sixties cad eye glasses and put them away. In all,

2022
02:26:30.760 --> 02:26:33.959
Bethy looks like a plain Jane kind of girl. Harpy

2023
02:26:34.040 --> 02:26:37.479
looks like one of them manga girls. Get yourself some

2024
02:26:37.559 --> 02:26:41.680
Japanese comics and you'll get an idea at Harpy's bodily dimensions.

2025
02:26:42.159 --> 02:26:45.000
But let me tell you, Harpy turned the tables on

2026
02:26:45.040 --> 02:26:49.319
that gang fast. Harpy's much stronger than Bethy and adapts

2027
02:26:49.360 --> 02:26:52.639
to things. By the time Harpy's finished, the gang's learned

2028
02:26:52.840 --> 02:26:56.639
you never fuck with a chick from Brooklyn. After Harpy

2029
02:26:56.719 --> 02:26:59.959
finished Save in the Day that Wicked, Harmony mirror tells

2030
02:27:00.120 --> 02:27:04.079
the guards. I want that Harley Quinn Squawker arrested too.

2031
02:27:04.879 --> 02:27:10.760
I gasped, squawker, squawker, then I grabbed the rich bitch.

2032
02:27:10.920 --> 02:27:13.920
I'll give you a squawker. Then I got all them

2033
02:27:13.959 --> 02:27:17.680
tasers pointing right at me. Yeah, Harpy knows what tasers

2034
02:27:17.680 --> 02:27:21.159
are like, So Harpy let's go. A Harmony miron and

2035
02:27:21.280 --> 02:27:25.520
raises her hands. Okay, okay, put him down. Harpy'll come

2036
02:27:25.559 --> 02:27:30.159
along quietly. Of course, Harpy grabbed the rest of Bethany's

2037
02:27:30.239 --> 02:27:33.360
last pizza on the go. When we reached the rich

2038
02:27:33.399 --> 02:27:37.760
Bitch's office, Harmony has two guards bring Harpy in. Harmony

2039
02:27:37.799 --> 02:27:41.520
pointed to a chair in front of her desk. Sit you, squawker,

2040
02:27:42.239 --> 02:27:45.719
Harpy Satin crossed her legs. Glad Bethy was wearing a

2041
02:27:45.760 --> 02:27:49.319
mini skirt. After starting the last slice of pizza, I

2042
02:27:49.440 --> 02:27:52.639
tossed the box at Harmony. What you want with harpy

2043
02:27:52.760 --> 02:27:56.959
rich bitch I snap. Harmony knocked the box away and

2044
02:27:57.040 --> 02:28:00.440
slammed her palms on the desk to lock you up

2045
02:28:00.479 --> 02:28:04.000
forever and ever. Oh, I haven't forgotten you trying to

2046
02:28:04.040 --> 02:28:07.399
have a slumber party in my mall, playing PlayStation at

2047
02:28:07.399 --> 02:28:11.159
Best Buy and eating all the snacks. Harmony sat down.

2048
02:28:13.600 --> 02:28:16.040
I only let you go because you got my baby

2049
02:28:16.040 --> 02:28:18.600
back when that thing grabbed her and took her into

2050
02:28:18.639 --> 02:28:22.680
the backwoods of Strickfield. Also, you paid for the damages

2051
02:28:22.719 --> 02:28:25.840
you caused. She puts her fist under her chin and

2052
02:28:25.920 --> 02:28:30.200
gave Arpi a devilish grin. What to do with you now?

2053
02:28:31.000 --> 02:28:34.440
That is the question? Want me to call the police,

2054
02:28:34.920 --> 02:28:38.600
one of the guards asks. Suddenly, her queen ship got

2055
02:28:38.680 --> 02:28:41.719
mad as hell and sprang to her feet. You didn't

2056
02:28:41.760 --> 02:28:44.680
call them to come get those pieces of shit out there.

2057
02:28:45.319 --> 02:28:48.680
She bawled her fists and screamed at the ceiling. Then

2058
02:28:48.799 --> 02:28:52.959
she glared at the guard. Are you seriously fucking kidding me?

2059
02:28:53.079 --> 02:28:57.959
Right now? She pointed to the door. Get out. The

2060
02:28:58.000 --> 02:29:03.799
guard left fast. Yeah, Harpy's harpy, but Harmony is a harpy.

2061
02:29:04.399 --> 02:29:07.680
She finally calmed down and pointed to the door that

2062
02:29:07.959 --> 02:29:12.239
is the incompetence I've got working for me. You had

2063
02:29:12.280 --> 02:29:15.639
him get Harpy, didn't you, I asked, finishing the slice

2064
02:29:15.680 --> 02:29:19.079
of pizza. She slammed her hands on the desk again.

2065
02:29:19.680 --> 02:29:22.719
You let them get you. I saw how you handled

2066
02:29:22.760 --> 02:29:24.719
those rowdy kids single handedly.

2067
02:29:25.879 --> 02:29:26.159
Yeah.

2068
02:29:26.239 --> 02:29:29.600
Harpy went along quietly because she didn't want no tasers

2069
02:29:29.680 --> 02:29:32.760
juicing her up again. So what you want with Harpy,

2070
02:29:32.879 --> 02:29:37.440
rich bitch? I ask again. Harmony gets his self calm

2071
02:29:37.479 --> 02:29:41.079
again before looking back at Harpy. I can't believe I'm

2072
02:29:41.120 --> 02:29:46.719
doing this. Ah, I'm offering you a job here at

2073
02:29:46.719 --> 02:29:52.440
my mall as my head of security. Oh did Harpy

2074
02:29:52.520 --> 02:29:55.920
ever start laughing it up? Probably the most Harpy's ever

2075
02:29:55.959 --> 02:30:00.799
laughed in her lifetime. When Harpy's finished, Harmony's face didn't change.

2076
02:30:01.639 --> 02:30:05.159
You have serious, then, I raised my hands in front

2077
02:30:05.200 --> 02:30:09.200
of me. Nothing doing, rich bitch. Harpy ain't running shit

2078
02:30:09.280 --> 02:30:14.040
detail for you. I'll pay you good money, Harmony states,

2079
02:30:14.600 --> 02:30:18.440
and give you benefits. But Harpy can't be here during

2080
02:30:18.440 --> 02:30:22.159
the day. I tell her, Harpy only comes out at night.

2081
02:30:23.200 --> 02:30:27.239
Harmony pointed right at Harpy, and that is what I'd

2082
02:30:27.319 --> 02:30:30.799
hire you. For you'll be in charge of my imbeciles

2083
02:30:30.799 --> 02:30:34.319
in the evening and guard them all at night. Then

2084
02:30:34.440 --> 02:30:37.479
she says what she's willing to give Harpy. I was

2085
02:30:37.520 --> 02:30:39.959
ready to walk out till I heard Bethy in my head.

2086
02:30:40.680 --> 02:30:43.159
Take the job, Harpy. You know how much you love

2087
02:30:43.200 --> 02:30:46.920
it here. But what about you, Bethy? I think back.

2088
02:30:47.399 --> 02:30:50.680
Don't you want time at night for yourself too? And

2089
02:30:50.760 --> 02:30:54.239
exactly what would I do with my time? All I'd

2090
02:30:54.280 --> 02:30:58.360
do is study work at the campus library and go eat. Plus,

2091
02:30:58.360 --> 02:31:00.600
we agreed you would have the night and I would

2092
02:31:00.600 --> 02:31:03.360
have the day. Unless they're going to need you here

2093
02:31:03.479 --> 02:31:07.559
during the day, go ahead and take the job. I

2094
02:31:07.600 --> 02:31:12.280
looked at Harmony again. I guess you talked Harpy into it.

2095
02:31:12.840 --> 02:31:18.600
When does Harpy start? Harmony points right at Harpy right now.

2096
02:31:19.680 --> 02:31:23.040
Now Harpy gets to hang out at this glamorous mall

2097
02:31:23.200 --> 02:31:27.360
all she wants. Yeah, the guards didn't like Harmony appointing

2098
02:31:27.520 --> 02:31:31.280
Harpy as their new queen bitch. As long as they

2099
02:31:31.280 --> 02:31:34.200
don't fuck with Harpy, I won't put them in their place.

2100
02:31:34.879 --> 02:31:39.000
Only thing Harpy hates is wearing a uniform. At least

2101
02:31:39.040 --> 02:31:42.479
Harpy gets to carry your very own taser now, oh

2102
02:31:42.799 --> 02:31:48.200
and a radio and shiny handcuffs. Bethy's right. Harpy really

2103
02:31:48.280 --> 02:31:55.520
does love this mall perspective, Bethany, it's Christmas Eve now.

2104
02:31:56.000 --> 02:32:00.120
Harmony asked Harpy to start working around noon today. As

2105
02:32:00.200 --> 02:32:02.479
soon as we enter the mall, we can see why

2106
02:32:03.159 --> 02:32:05.879
everybody and his brother and sister and their two friends

2107
02:32:05.879 --> 02:32:09.920
and their second cousins are here. Last minute Christmas shopping

2108
02:32:09.959 --> 02:32:14.120
always brings everybody out, it seems. Anyway, I myself am

2109
02:32:14.159 --> 02:32:17.600
here early to fill up. Both Harpy and I need

2110
02:32:17.639 --> 02:32:21.120
the nourishment. Even today, we still have to eat lots

2111
02:32:21.120 --> 02:32:25.200
of food, the same way Shaggy Rogers does in Scooby Doo.

2112
02:32:25.479 --> 02:32:29.120
Like Shaggy, I'm also quite skinny. At first, I thought

2113
02:32:29.159 --> 02:32:33.239
I was having multiple personality disorder, especially back at that

2114
02:32:33.520 --> 02:32:37.280
haunted mansion a few years ago. It's known as grim Manor,

2115
02:32:37.639 --> 02:32:40.639
But after that horrible night I had there, I call

2116
02:32:40.680 --> 02:32:44.920
it Murder Mansion. Honestly, I think I might have died

2117
02:32:44.920 --> 02:32:47.760
there if it hadn't been for Harpy. All I had

2118
02:32:47.799 --> 02:32:54.399
to do was see those spiders, and ah, I hate spiders. Anyway,

2119
02:32:55.040 --> 02:32:57.760
I fainted when I saw those spiders in the attic

2120
02:32:58.399 --> 02:33:01.879
black widows that would have killed me for sure. Harpy

2121
02:33:01.959 --> 02:33:05.479
emerged and got us out of that situation. After we

2122
02:33:05.600 --> 02:33:09.079
left Murder Mansion in the morning, we went to Denoyer's grill.

2123
02:33:10.000 --> 02:33:13.440
We filled up on several breakfast platters. Harpy and I

2124
02:33:13.520 --> 02:33:17.719
were at odds again. Then that incident happened here at

2125
02:33:17.719 --> 02:33:20.799
the mall where I got picked on and Harpy got out.

2126
02:33:21.840 --> 02:33:24.280
She loved the mall and wanted to be free, so

2127
02:33:24.840 --> 02:33:28.680
she decided to have that slumber party Harmony Miron mentioned earlier.

2128
02:33:29.360 --> 02:33:32.920
Harpy got detained by both cops and security guards and

2129
02:33:33.079 --> 02:33:36.879
was held in Harmony's office. Not long after this, very

2130
02:33:36.959 --> 02:33:40.719
big ghoul broke into that office and took Harmony's child.

2131
02:33:41.319 --> 02:33:44.239
Harpy and I had to put our differences aside and

2132
02:33:44.319 --> 02:33:48.920
go save little Melanie and result, Harpy saved the baby,

2133
02:33:49.440 --> 02:33:52.879
and Harpy and I came to an understanding and agreed

2134
02:33:52.920 --> 02:33:58.159
we'd share our body. Getting back to now, I have

2135
02:33:58.280 --> 02:34:03.079
three extra large pizzas with everything, including lots of cheese

2136
02:34:03.440 --> 02:34:06.120
that I just ordered from Scatto's in the food court.

2137
02:34:06.719 --> 02:34:08.959
There are times when I hate having to eat the

2138
02:34:08.959 --> 02:34:11.399
way I do, which I'm sure is part of the

2139
02:34:11.440 --> 02:34:15.040
reason why guys don't want anything to do with me. Also,

2140
02:34:15.159 --> 02:34:18.639
they don't like that I'm far superior to them, not

2141
02:34:18.719 --> 02:34:21.639
to toot my own horn. For the record, I do

2142
02:34:21.760 --> 02:34:25.040
go out and have fun. I still enter escape room

2143
02:34:25.120 --> 02:34:29.440
contests and win money. Even after what happened at Murder Mansion.

2144
02:34:30.040 --> 02:34:33.639
I still love doing them. I feel they stimulate my

2145
02:34:34.000 --> 02:34:39.159
mutant brain. Also, I'm a freelance detective who solves mysteries

2146
02:34:39.200 --> 02:34:43.600
for police departments when they need help. Getting back to eating,

2147
02:34:44.040 --> 02:34:46.680
I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy all

2148
02:34:46.719 --> 02:34:50.399
the delicious food. What's even better is that we don't

2149
02:34:50.399 --> 02:34:53.719
ever put on weight. On the other hand, if we

2150
02:34:53.879 --> 02:34:57.319
don't eat when we need to, the hunger pangs can

2151
02:34:57.399 --> 02:35:01.360
hurt like hell. If we go to do long without eating,

2152
02:35:01.840 --> 02:35:06.799
we can feel some serious pain and eventually die. That's

2153
02:35:06.840 --> 02:35:11.280
what comes with having an ultra high metabolism. Then there's

2154
02:35:11.360 --> 02:35:15.120
those damn sorority girls who keep calling me Bethany the Bore,

2155
02:35:15.719 --> 02:35:18.479
and those stupid fraternity guys who make fun of me

2156
02:35:18.600 --> 02:35:22.040
because I dress like I'm from the sixties. Maybe I

2157
02:35:22.079 --> 02:35:24.360
should just say the hell with it and let harpy

2158
02:35:24.399 --> 02:35:29.120
out full time, I mutter to myself, Ah, come on, Bethy,

2159
02:35:29.399 --> 02:35:32.159
quit me in so hard on yourself. I hear Harpy

2160
02:35:32.239 --> 02:35:36.879
in my mind. I sigh, Am I that transparent? I

2161
02:35:36.959 --> 02:35:40.719
think back. Give me a break, Sissy. We're only twin

2162
02:35:40.799 --> 02:35:44.200
sisters that gotta share a body forever and ever. We

2163
02:35:44.360 --> 02:35:47.239
also share the same noggin. Even though we do our

2164
02:35:47.280 --> 02:35:50.879
own thinking and can keep our thoughts to ourselves, don't

2165
02:35:50.920 --> 02:35:55.360
forget we see everything together. I sigh and feel a

2166
02:35:55.399 --> 02:35:58.399
little better. To be honest, I'm used to having you

2167
02:35:58.479 --> 02:36:02.360
with me by now, Harpy. You're my sister, but at

2168
02:36:02.399 --> 02:36:05.440
the same time, you're the only real friend I've got

2169
02:36:05.559 --> 02:36:09.959
in this world. Go figure where two souls living in

2170
02:36:10.040 --> 02:36:14.040
one body will be? Okay, we'll make it work, right,

2171
02:36:14.920 --> 02:36:19.879
What choice we got, Sissy, Harpy replies, I finally finished

2172
02:36:19.879 --> 02:36:23.319
the pizzas I suppose I could probably order another one,

2173
02:36:23.399 --> 02:36:25.840
but I don't want to make Harpy late for work.

2174
02:36:26.440 --> 02:36:29.319
After throwing the boxes away, we head towards the mall

2175
02:36:29.440 --> 02:36:37.440
exit to get to where the security office is. Harpy

2176
02:36:37.520 --> 02:36:41.360
spent her shift patrolling them all. It ended up being

2177
02:36:41.440 --> 02:36:44.600
a good day for Christmas Eve, and nobody got out

2178
02:36:44.639 --> 02:36:47.360
of line. Harpy had to straighten out a few of

2179
02:36:47.399 --> 02:36:50.920
the other guards when she caught them slacking off. Harmony

2180
02:36:50.959 --> 02:36:54.319
mer and sure was happy to see her latest investment

2181
02:36:54.440 --> 02:36:58.520
paying off. Since Harpy is staying here all night, she

2182
02:36:58.600 --> 02:37:02.440
gets to enjoy all the Crittersmith's decorations and animatronics that

2183
02:37:02.520 --> 02:37:06.040
remain on. It's not Harpy's job to turn them off.

2184
02:37:06.600 --> 02:37:09.760
A couple of times we've seen Harmony actually admiring them

2185
02:37:10.399 --> 02:37:14.680
like they were touching her inner child. Harpy's been patrolling

2186
02:37:14.760 --> 02:37:18.959
and hanging around. It's nearly midnight. It'll be Christmas in

2187
02:37:19.079 --> 02:37:23.680
just a few short minutes. Suddenly I feel myself coming

2188
02:37:23.719 --> 02:37:29.399
back out Harpy. I ask, what are you doing? Go

2189
02:37:29.399 --> 02:37:32.920
ahead and enjoy the Christmas stuff. She tells me. You

2190
02:37:32.959 --> 02:37:37.079
know ya wanna. She's right, I love Christmas just as

2191
02:37:37.120 --> 02:37:40.799
much as Harpy. Harmony never spares any expense when it

2192
02:37:40.799 --> 02:37:46.040
comes to the holidays, especially these moving scenes. Thank you, Harpy,

2193
02:37:46.760 --> 02:37:49.680
I think to her. I put my glasses on and

2194
02:37:49.760 --> 02:37:53.120
admire them all while closed yet still lit up like

2195
02:37:53.159 --> 02:37:57.680
a Christmas wonderland. Now I'm at Center Court and really

2196
02:37:57.719 --> 02:38:01.280
admiring the big tree with it. It's bright lights and

2197
02:38:01.319 --> 02:38:06.719
beautiful decorations. Of course, I'm not paying attention. When Harmony

2198
02:38:06.760 --> 02:38:11.520
Miren's golf cart pulls up, she points right at us.

2199
02:38:12.120 --> 02:38:15.079
You can't be here. The mall's closed, and what are

2200
02:38:15.079 --> 02:38:18.200
you doing in a security uniform. I hold up our

2201
02:38:18.239 --> 02:38:22.520
hands in front of us. I'm leaving right now. When

2202
02:38:22.559 --> 02:38:26.280
I run, Harmony immediately moves her cart in front of me. No,

2203
02:38:26.639 --> 02:38:31.239
I'm taking you to the security office and calling the police.

2204
02:38:31.319 --> 02:38:34.799
Then she gets on her radio, Harpy, where are you?

2205
02:38:35.639 --> 02:38:41.120
When she obviously doesn't answer, she gets upset. Where are you, squawker?

2206
02:38:41.440 --> 02:38:43.799
You're spending the night here at the mall. That's part

2207
02:38:43.840 --> 02:38:48.319
of your job as nighttime security. You're stuck here with me.

2208
02:38:49.840 --> 02:38:52.600
I'm ready to run to where Harmony can't see me

2209
02:38:52.760 --> 02:38:56.760
so I can let Harpy back out. Suddenly, Harmony blocks

2210
02:38:56.799 --> 02:39:00.120
me with her cart again when she starts yelling at me.

2211
02:39:00.200 --> 02:39:04.280
I hear my sister, Bethy, look to you left. As

2212
02:39:04.319 --> 02:39:07.559
Harmony grabs my arm and shakes me. I listen to

2213
02:39:07.600 --> 02:39:12.520
Harpy and look to see see what the hell are

2214
02:39:12.559 --> 02:39:16.959
they doing here? I choke out Harpy and I can't

2215
02:39:16.959 --> 02:39:21.680
believe we're seeing those three walking here inside Strickfield Town

2216
02:39:21.760 --> 02:39:26.079
Center Mall. Those are the three detectives we met up

2217
02:39:26.120 --> 02:39:29.920
with at Murder Mansion two years ago on July fourth.

2218
02:39:30.760 --> 02:39:36.319
Ed Smith, Brian Davenport, and John Riddle. Last we checked

2219
02:39:37.600 --> 02:39:42.040
their ghosts. They died that night, just before Harpy and

2220
02:39:42.079 --> 02:39:45.600
I ended up at Murder Mansion. You just know this

2221
02:39:45.799 --> 02:39:55.040
is not going to be good perspective, Harpy. Let's turn

2222
02:39:55.120 --> 02:39:58.360
back the clock a few years to July fourth, when

2223
02:39:58.399 --> 02:40:01.600
Bethy was on her way back from Shore City. She

2224
02:40:01.680 --> 02:40:05.440
won top prize in an escape room contest there. She

2225
02:40:05.639 --> 02:40:08.040
just wanted to get back to Strickfield and get to

2226
02:40:08.079 --> 02:40:13.680
Denoyer's grill. Unfortunately, Bethy drove into a real bad storm.

2227
02:40:14.319 --> 02:40:17.840
She kept her cool and stayed on the asphalt. When

2228
02:40:17.879 --> 02:40:20.120
she saw the bridge she had to cross to get

2229
02:40:20.159 --> 02:40:23.600
back into Strickfield got washed out by the storm. Well,

2230
02:40:24.079 --> 02:40:27.760
she had to take a detour. Unfortunately, we ended up

2231
02:40:27.760 --> 02:40:31.639
in the backwoods of Strickfield. Then this burnout car was

2232
02:40:31.719 --> 02:40:34.680
right in the middle of the road. Bethy couldn't stop

2233
02:40:34.719 --> 02:40:37.840
in time and hit it. From there, she left the

2234
02:40:37.879 --> 02:40:42.600
car to find shelter. She soon found grim Manor, a

2235
02:40:42.680 --> 02:40:46.000
haunted plantation house like right out of the Civil War era.

2236
02:40:46.879 --> 02:40:52.120
The house let Bethie in and kept her us inside. Yeah,

2237
02:40:52.200 --> 02:40:55.760
Bethy's been referring to us as us, so it's only

2238
02:40:55.799 --> 02:41:00.479
fair Harpy does the same, right. Anyway, we walked until

2239
02:41:00.520 --> 02:41:04.639
we reached the living room. That's where Bethy sees those detectives.

2240
02:41:05.200 --> 02:41:07.840
Come to think of it, those idiots never met Harpy.

2241
02:41:08.879 --> 02:41:12.680
Long story short, Bethy solved all the escape rooms in

2242
02:41:12.719 --> 02:41:16.959
the mansion with a little help from Harpy. Bethy also

2243
02:41:17.040 --> 02:41:22.520
determined everybody we met at grim Manor were ghosts. Yeah,

2244
02:41:22.760 --> 02:41:28.319
that even included Ed Smith, Brian Davenport, and John Riddle. See.

2245
02:41:28.520 --> 02:41:32.079
Bethy determined those idiots died on their way here to

2246
02:41:32.120 --> 02:41:36.760
look for Beauregard Grim's fortune years ago. Bethy accidentally got

2247
02:41:36.840 --> 02:41:40.799
them all fired when she solved cases those morons should

2248
02:41:40.799 --> 02:41:44.680
have been able to solve. After that, they tried challenging

2249
02:41:44.719 --> 02:41:47.920
Bethy and escape rooms and couldn't beat her at those either.

2250
02:41:48.879 --> 02:41:51.479
Guess they found they was good at treasure hunting because

2251
02:41:51.879 --> 02:41:54.600
they made the papers with all the treasures they uncovered.

2252
02:41:55.399 --> 02:41:58.239
Grim Manner was one treasure hunt. They should have looked

2253
02:41:58.280 --> 02:42:02.280
the other way. On the one driving the car wasn't

2254
02:42:02.319 --> 02:42:06.079
slowing down in the storm, he lost control, hit a tree,

2255
02:42:06.760 --> 02:42:11.159
came back on the road and cublamy. They all died

2256
02:42:11.200 --> 02:42:15.079
in a big fiery explosion, and their ghosts found their

2257
02:42:15.120 --> 02:42:18.920
way to grim Manner. It took Bethy figuring and telling

2258
02:42:18.959 --> 02:42:22.399
them they was ghosts, and she proved it by passing

2259
02:42:22.440 --> 02:42:26.319
our hand right through each of them, flashing back to now,

2260
02:42:27.079 --> 02:42:29.040
how the hell did they get out of grim Manner

2261
02:42:29.120 --> 02:42:33.639
and come to the mall? Yeah, Harpy ain't getting in neither, Bethy,

2262
02:42:34.200 --> 02:42:37.120
I think to her. Even though one of us is

2263
02:42:37.120 --> 02:42:40.280
in control of our body, the other one also sees

2264
02:42:40.319 --> 02:42:45.360
what's happening. Also, the one riding along can rest, which

2265
02:42:45.399 --> 02:42:47.559
is how Bethy and me found out we can keep

2266
02:42:47.600 --> 02:42:52.520
moving without sleeping. Eventually we both got to have our rest.

2267
02:42:52.760 --> 02:42:55.799
That's how we agreed. Bethy can have daytime and Harpy

2268
02:42:56.200 --> 02:43:00.719
can have the night life. Careful Bethy that in this way.

2269
02:43:01.239 --> 02:43:05.000
As Bethy's about to let Harpy come back out, Harmony

2270
02:43:05.040 --> 02:43:08.799
Mirn grabs a hold of his shoulder. You listen to me,

2271
02:43:08.959 --> 02:43:11.680
young lady. I don't care if you stuff yourself full

2272
02:43:11.719 --> 02:43:14.079
of pizza in my food court at least three times

2273
02:43:14.079 --> 02:43:16.479
a week you're coming with me so I can call

2274
02:43:16.520 --> 02:43:21.479
the police. She's back on her radio. Harpy answer me,

2275
02:43:21.600 --> 02:43:25.879
damn it. It's Christmas now and them three ghosties are

2276
02:43:25.879 --> 02:43:30.680
making their way here. Bethy tries telling Harmony, you need

2277
02:43:30.719 --> 02:43:34.680
to go lady right now. But you know how stubborn

2278
02:43:34.719 --> 02:43:40.000
the rich bitches this is my mall. Well, well, well

2279
02:43:40.680 --> 02:43:44.120
look what we got here. Ed Smith sneers when he

2280
02:43:44.200 --> 02:43:49.280
reaches us. Look at you, Bethany Martinsen. You think you're

2281
02:43:49.319 --> 02:43:52.360
too smart to follow the rules of this mall. Eh.

2282
02:43:52.600 --> 02:43:55.799
John Riddle points at us. You really thought you was

2283
02:43:55.840 --> 02:43:59.879
gonna get away and with all our money. Brian davin

2284
02:44:00.079 --> 02:44:04.440
Or it's sneering now. Yeah, we ain't going with that.

2285
02:44:04.440 --> 02:44:08.479
That's why we snuck away from grim Manor. See, we

2286
02:44:08.520 --> 02:44:12.959
ain't ready to go into eternal peace just yet. In

2287
02:44:13.079 --> 02:44:16.360
other words, we got a score to settle with you first,

2288
02:44:16.639 --> 02:44:20.799
little miss know it all. Ed Smith says, And since

2289
02:44:20.840 --> 02:44:23.200
we can't take our money we came for that night

2290
02:44:23.280 --> 02:44:26.200
back with us. We gotta get you to come back

2291
02:44:26.200 --> 02:44:30.159
to grim Manor right now so you can die and

2292
02:44:30.239 --> 02:44:35.840
hang out with us for the long term. Brian Davenport remarks,

2293
02:44:36.280 --> 02:44:40.319
I'll never return to that house ever again. Bethy yells

2294
02:44:40.719 --> 02:44:43.479
as Harmony Mirron gets off of her cart to give

2295
02:44:43.520 --> 02:44:47.239
them Ghosties hell. They immediately grab her right to them.

2296
02:44:48.040 --> 02:44:50.959
What the hell do you think you're doing, Harmony yells?

2297
02:44:51.479 --> 02:44:53.680
Do you have any idea? Who the fuck I am?

2298
02:44:54.000 --> 02:44:58.959
I am Harmony Miron and you will ah shut your trap, lady,

2299
02:44:59.440 --> 02:45:02.920
John Riddle snaps ed Smith points right at us. Now,

2300
02:45:03.559 --> 02:45:06.200
if you ever want to see this woman here ever again,

2301
02:45:06.559 --> 02:45:08.959
you'll have to come out to grim Manor and get her.

2302
02:45:09.639 --> 02:45:13.719
And before Bethy can change places with Harpy, those bastards

2303
02:45:13.760 --> 02:45:16.600
fly in the air, lifting Harmony off the floor with them.

2304
02:45:17.239 --> 02:45:19.600
They fly her to a nearby exit and pass right

2305
02:45:19.680 --> 02:45:23.399
through it. Even Harmony passes through it, just like the ghosties.

2306
02:45:24.360 --> 02:45:30.000
Oh shit, Bethy cries, it'll be okay, I think to her,

2307
02:45:30.680 --> 02:45:33.239
Just let Harpy out and she'll go get the rich bitch.

2308
02:45:34.159 --> 02:45:38.200
Bethy don't argue and comes back inside when Harpy's coming out.

2309
02:45:38.479 --> 02:45:42.079
Once Harpy's free, I take off Bethy's glasses and slip

2310
02:45:42.120 --> 02:45:47.000
them into my pocket. Okay, you fucking ghosties, I say,

2311
02:45:47.440 --> 02:45:51.239
you made a big mistake coming here. And now Harpy's

2312
02:45:51.280 --> 02:45:59.879
coming and Harpy's mad perspective. Bethan is, I still can't

2313
02:46:00.159 --> 02:46:02.879
leave the change that takes place between us when we

2314
02:46:02.920 --> 02:46:07.159
switch our souls. It's amazing that Harpy's more than human

2315
02:46:07.200 --> 02:46:11.120
when she gains control of our body. I'm skinny, but

2316
02:46:11.200 --> 02:46:14.959
Harpy has meat on the bones. Now, Harpy's marching to

2317
02:46:15.000 --> 02:46:19.440
the mall exit. Suddenly she stops before reaching the doors.

2318
02:46:20.040 --> 02:46:23.399
What are you doing, Harpy, I think to her. Got

2319
02:46:23.399 --> 02:46:27.600
a dress for battle? Sissy? Harpy thinks back, I know

2320
02:46:27.719 --> 02:46:31.239
I won't win this one. Harpy believes that the clothes

2321
02:46:31.319 --> 02:46:35.079
make the girl. She lifts the gate to Falconer's Fashions,

2322
02:46:35.440 --> 02:46:39.559
breaking the lock, and goes in. She quickly grabs what

2323
02:46:39.600 --> 02:46:43.600
she wants off the racks and changes clothes. When she's finished,

2324
02:46:43.639 --> 02:46:47.600
she remembers my glasses and storms out. She unlocks one

2325
02:46:47.600 --> 02:46:51.079
of the exit doors to get outside, then she relocks it.

2326
02:46:51.559 --> 02:46:54.920
We need a car, Sissy. Harpy can do lots of things,

2327
02:46:54.959 --> 02:46:58.840
but she can't fly. Harpy, please don't get us arrested,

2328
02:46:59.239 --> 02:47:03.959
I implore her. Who Harpy, Nah, Why don't I like

2329
02:47:04.000 --> 02:47:07.760
that tone in her voice? Harpy walks out onto the

2330
02:47:07.799 --> 02:47:13.239
parking lot to look around. Ooh yeah, look, Sissy, listen, Harpy.

2331
02:47:13.879 --> 02:47:16.799
You've only driven a car one time, I tell her,

2332
02:47:17.280 --> 02:47:21.360
and that one is huge. Come on, Sissy, you gotta

2333
02:47:21.399 --> 02:47:26.239
stop being such a boor and Bethy, she teases, Harpy'll

2334
02:47:26.280 --> 02:47:30.120
take care of everything. That's what I'm afraid of. I groan.

2335
02:47:30.959 --> 02:47:34.079
Harpy reaches the hummer and breaks into it. I think

2336
02:47:34.120 --> 02:47:36.639
it's safe to say Harpy's learned a lot during my

2337
02:47:36.799 --> 02:47:40.600
lonely movie nights in our dorm, especially when we watched

2338
02:47:40.760 --> 02:47:44.959
the terminator. Harpy rips the steering column open and starts

2339
02:47:45.000 --> 02:47:49.719
the car the same way Arnold Schwarzenegger did. Yeah, cries

2340
02:47:49.799 --> 02:47:53.120
that crazy Brooklyn girl who sounds just like Harley Quinn.

2341
02:47:53.680 --> 02:47:58.200
Hi ho, Harpy. When my sister floors the gas she's

2342
02:47:58.200 --> 02:48:01.760
heading in the direction of the backwoods of Strickfield, I groan.

2343
02:48:01.840 --> 02:48:04.719
When Harpy's on the road and running multiple red lights,

2344
02:48:05.360 --> 02:48:08.399
I'm still thinking Harpy's making up for all the years

2345
02:48:08.440 --> 02:48:11.879
she remained the recessive soul in our body. I know

2346
02:48:11.959 --> 02:48:14.799
we're really in trouble. When Harpy turns on the radio

2347
02:48:15.399 --> 02:48:19.200
to George Thoroughgoods bad to the bone. Oh my god,

2348
02:48:19.239 --> 02:48:22.760
what are the chances. Harpy changes the station and gets

2349
02:48:23.040 --> 02:48:27.319
rocking around the Christmas tree by Brenda Lee. Yeah, we're

2350
02:48:27.319 --> 02:48:31.840
on our way, Sissy, Harper cries out, happily. Just get

2351
02:48:31.920 --> 02:48:35.920
us to Murder Mansion alive, will you? I mutter? Always

2352
02:48:36.000 --> 02:48:39.879
the boor and Bethy, she mutters back. Harpy knows what

2353
02:48:40.000 --> 02:48:43.959
she's doing. Harpy keeps us speeding along with her lead

2354
02:48:44.000 --> 02:48:50.000
foot whee. Before long we're on the main road leading

2355
02:48:50.040 --> 02:48:55.840
out to the backwoods. Then Harpy utters some choked happy sounds.

2356
02:48:55.840 --> 02:49:01.680
Such pretty lights. Bethy, she whispers, harp loves Christmas decorations.

2357
02:49:02.079 --> 02:49:05.440
They go so good with the snow. She's not wrong.

2358
02:49:06.000 --> 02:49:09.120
Harpy's eyes definitely brightened up over the Halloween lights and

2359
02:49:09.159 --> 02:49:13.520
decorations back in October as well. You do remember the

2360
02:49:13.559 --> 02:49:19.799
way to Murder Mansion, right, I ask, Harpy's gotcha, she promises.

2361
02:49:20.840 --> 02:49:24.000
Once Harpy reaches the curve where the detective's car was

2362
02:49:24.040 --> 02:49:26.799
in the middle of the road, she drives right off

2363
02:49:26.840 --> 02:49:30.879
it and into the snow covered backwoods of Strickfield. I

2364
02:49:30.920 --> 02:49:33.440
don't swear much, but I think we're going to be

2365
02:49:33.520 --> 02:49:37.920
in some serious shit before too long. In fact, Harpy

2366
02:49:38.000 --> 02:49:43.799
breaks to a halt right in front of murder mansion.

2367
02:49:44.719 --> 02:49:48.479
Harpy cuts the motor and gets out. She marches right

2368
02:49:48.559 --> 02:49:51.239
up to the front double doors and moves to kick

2369
02:49:51.280 --> 02:49:56.479
them in, only they don't budge. What the fuck, Harpy growls,

2370
02:49:57.000 --> 02:49:59.840
I know I'm strong enough to rip these doors right off, Sissy.

2371
02:50:00.760 --> 02:50:04.079
Harpy keeps throwing her strength into the doors, but they

2372
02:50:04.120 --> 02:50:07.959
won't give up the ghost no pun intended. She even

2373
02:50:08.079 --> 02:50:11.799
tries shattering the windows, but they won't even vibrate when

2374
02:50:11.840 --> 02:50:16.200
her fists make contact. When Harpy sees she can't get through,

2375
02:50:16.760 --> 02:50:21.319
she looks up to the sky and howls with rage. Hearty, mad,

2376
02:50:22.639 --> 02:50:24.280
you're going to have to let me out for a

2377
02:50:24.319 --> 02:50:28.959
little bit. I tell her those detectives are expecting me not.

2378
02:50:29.200 --> 02:50:34.239
You trust me on this. Harpy thinks about it. Okay, Bethy,

2379
02:50:34.760 --> 02:50:39.760
let's hope you're right. Harpy shifts back into boring Bethany, Great,

2380
02:50:40.040 --> 02:50:43.879
I'm wearing these slutty clothes and I still couldn't get

2381
02:50:43.879 --> 02:50:46.520
a man to want me. I gulp in terror and

2382
02:50:46.559 --> 02:50:50.079
make myself go to the front doors. I'm breathing fast

2383
02:50:50.120 --> 02:50:53.639
as I turn the knob. Sure enough, it opens right

2384
02:50:53.760 --> 02:50:58.120
up just for me. I feel my knees shaking. Suddenly,

2385
02:50:58.200 --> 02:51:01.399
this huge gust of winter wind blows me right into

2386
02:51:01.399 --> 02:51:06.520
the haunted house. Shortly after, the door I opened slams shut,

2387
02:51:07.920 --> 02:51:11.079
just like that Fourth of July night two years ago.

2388
02:51:11.159 --> 02:51:14.559
I quickly turn around and try opening the doors. When

2389
02:51:14.559 --> 02:51:16.760
they won't budge, I suck it up and make my

2390
02:51:16.840 --> 02:51:19.000
way to the living room where I first saw those

2391
02:51:19.079 --> 02:51:23.280
three douchebags. Sure enough, they're in the living room waiting

2392
02:51:23.319 --> 02:51:27.040
for me, and they've got harmony Mirran secured to a recliner.

2393
02:51:27.879 --> 02:51:31.719
Ed smith sneers aw. Gee, Bethany, you didn't have to

2394
02:51:31.719 --> 02:51:35.159
get all dressed up just for us, John Riddle gives

2395
02:51:35.159 --> 02:51:41.000
me a thumbs up. Sex See. Okay, I'm here, I yell.

2396
02:51:41.600 --> 02:51:43.600
I can't believe you three got all but hurt over

2397
02:51:43.639 --> 02:51:45.879
what happened when we were all out here over two

2398
02:51:46.000 --> 02:51:49.799
years ago. I realize I'm not feeling so scared when

2399
02:51:49.840 --> 02:51:54.479
I'm pissed. Riddle points to me that was our money

2400
02:51:54.799 --> 02:51:57.040
and you were the one who walked out of here

2401
02:51:57.079 --> 02:52:01.239
with it. I tightened my fists. Don't blame me because

2402
02:52:01.280 --> 02:52:05.040
your dumbasses died that night. I wasn't the one driving

2403
02:52:05.120 --> 02:52:10.280
recklessly in a bad rainstorm. Brian Davenport points at me. Now,

2404
02:52:10.680 --> 02:52:13.319
but you left us here and took off with the money.

2405
02:52:14.040 --> 02:52:17.600
I'm squeezing my fists now, Why is it always that

2406
02:52:17.639 --> 02:52:22.680
you men can never take responsibility for anything you do? Again,

2407
02:52:23.200 --> 02:52:26.840
I wasn't the one driving your car. I had no

2408
02:52:27.079 --> 02:52:31.479
idea you three would even be out here at Murder Mansion.

2409
02:52:31.879 --> 02:52:34.639
I just wanted to find a phone and call for

2410
02:52:34.719 --> 02:52:39.559
a tow I point to them. Now. Actually, actually it

2411
02:52:39.600 --> 02:52:42.680
was you who caused my car to be wrecked. You're

2412
02:52:42.760 --> 02:52:45.440
the reason I ended up coming here in the first place.

2413
02:52:45.959 --> 02:52:49.680
I wasn't here for Beauregard Grim's fortune. I only ended

2414
02:52:49.760 --> 02:52:52.719
up solving the escape rooms and taking the money because

2415
02:52:52.760 --> 02:52:57.559
I was forced into the hunt. Ed Smith waves me off.

2416
02:52:58.079 --> 02:53:02.639
Don't matter now, What does matter is you're here? He

2417
02:53:02.799 --> 02:53:06.040
points at Harmony. The two of you are gonna remain

2418
02:53:06.120 --> 02:53:10.840
here and take our places. See, we're leaving and going

2419
02:53:10.879 --> 02:53:14.600
back into the real world. We're tired of staying here.

2420
02:53:15.440 --> 02:53:19.479
Davenport sneers now, so we're gonna kill you both and

2421
02:53:19.600 --> 02:53:21.879
take your bodies to get back into the real world.

2422
02:53:22.559 --> 02:53:25.959
Guess we're gonna be chicks now. I groan and shake

2423
02:53:26.040 --> 02:53:30.760
my head slowly. There are three of you here, and

2424
02:53:30.879 --> 02:53:33.799
you're going to kill two of us. What is one

2425
02:53:33.840 --> 02:53:37.840
of you staying behind? Clearly, you idiots did not think

2426
02:53:37.920 --> 02:53:41.360
this through. When the three of them look at each other,

2427
02:53:41.799 --> 02:53:45.520
I just shake my head slowly. Like I told you

2428
02:53:45.719 --> 02:53:50.760
two years ago, it's all about the details. You never

2429
02:53:50.799 --> 02:53:54.159
paid attention to them before, and you still don't pay

2430
02:53:54.200 --> 02:53:59.319
attention to them now. We paid enough attention. Smith replies.

2431
02:54:00.000 --> 02:54:02.600
If you came to save this woman and you don't

2432
02:54:02.600 --> 02:54:06.120
even know her, he looks at Harmony, you should have

2433
02:54:06.239 --> 02:54:09.239
just left her for dead. She's one of those ultra

2434
02:54:09.399 --> 02:54:12.760
rich mirrors, right. I highly doubt she'd have come to

2435
02:54:12.799 --> 02:54:17.360
save you. But we're not talking about her, right. I snap,

2436
02:54:18.120 --> 02:54:22.040
your beef is with me. Suddenly, Smith flies at me.

2437
02:54:22.559 --> 02:54:25.040
When he passes right through me, I quickly dropped to

2438
02:54:25.079 --> 02:54:27.879
my butt. Now I feel like I haven't slept for

2439
02:54:27.920 --> 02:54:32.040
four days. Let me out, Bethany. I hear Harpy calling

2440
02:54:32.079 --> 02:54:35.479
from within. I try and focus to let my sister

2441
02:54:35.600 --> 02:54:39.879
back out. Then Davenport passes right through me. I groan

2442
02:54:40.000 --> 02:54:42.920
and fall on my side. I feel like I've got

2443
02:54:43.159 --> 02:54:46.760
no energy at all. I can't even focus enough to

2444
02:54:47.840 --> 02:54:52.760
release Harpy. Come on, Bethany, let Harpy out. She yells,

2445
02:54:53.239 --> 02:54:59.360
I'm trying, I think back, so I'm so exhausted I

2446
02:54:59.399 --> 02:55:05.120
can't move. I can't think, Bethy, we ain't dying here

2447
02:55:05.159 --> 02:55:09.239
in this fucking shit hole, and on Christmas. Harpy yells,

2448
02:55:09.639 --> 02:55:13.360
now get your ass up and let Harpy out. Finish

2449
02:55:13.440 --> 02:55:18.000
her off. Smith tells Riddle, one more pass and she's dead.

2450
02:55:18.479 --> 02:55:20.600
Then we can finish the Mirror and Woman and leave

2451
02:55:20.680 --> 02:55:25.120
for good. We can also hear Harmony Mirrans struggling and

2452
02:55:25.159 --> 02:55:29.959
throwing every curseword at those bastards in one breath. You know, Bethy,

2453
02:55:30.639 --> 02:55:34.879
what if them spiders come back? Harpy goads me, what

2454
02:55:34.959 --> 02:55:37.600
if you end up being hanged like August and Dorothy

2455
02:55:37.680 --> 02:55:40.799
Grimm was back in the day. Or do you want

2456
02:55:40.879 --> 02:55:44.319
us roam in the halls here is ghosties, cause if

2457
02:55:44.360 --> 02:55:48.879
you don't move, Sissy, that's what's gonna happen. Of course,

2458
02:55:48.959 --> 02:55:51.680
you can lay right here and wait for the spiders

2459
02:55:51.680 --> 02:55:56.280
to come and get you. Then we hear riddle. Since

2460
02:55:56.319 --> 02:56:00.239
it's obvious we ain't getting our money. Bethany, I think

2461
02:56:00.280 --> 02:56:04.799
it's a pretty good consolation prize that we get you.

2462
02:56:04.799 --> 02:56:08.319
You should have stayed out of our business. Kid. We

2463
02:56:08.399 --> 02:56:11.440
can see Riddle coming at us, and I know this

2464
02:56:11.520 --> 02:56:16.840
is the end if he passes right through me perspective Harpy,

2465
02:56:17.840 --> 02:56:21.319
except Riddle ain't expecting the girl to suddenly spring up.

2466
02:56:21.879 --> 02:56:25.559
Then that Riddle idiot slams into Harpy and bounces away.

2467
02:56:26.440 --> 02:56:31.440
Harpy steps up to him boo. Then the Ghosty cries

2468
02:56:31.479 --> 02:56:34.440
out in frighten tumbles through one of the big couches,

2469
02:56:34.840 --> 02:56:39.079
making Harpy laugh. I pointed him you was a ghostye,

2470
02:56:39.239 --> 02:56:45.840
and Harpy just scared you. Ha ha. Bethany, Bethany, your

2471
02:56:47.079 --> 02:56:51.959
Harpy harmony shrieks in disbelief. You miss me, rich bitch,

2472
02:56:52.360 --> 02:56:57.079
I reply, Yeah, Harpy came out here to save you ass.

2473
02:56:57.680 --> 02:57:02.000
Pass through or already Riddle. Smith yells his way, Riddle

2474
02:57:02.040 --> 02:57:06.120
gets his shit together. Riddle gets his shit together. I

2475
02:57:06.159 --> 02:57:09.159
don't get it. How'd you get purple hair, red eyes

2476
02:57:09.200 --> 02:57:12.319
and a hot body, Bethany? And why are you talking

2477
02:57:12.440 --> 02:57:18.120
like that? You finally lose your marbles now, Harpy laughs again. Yeah,

2478
02:57:18.280 --> 02:57:21.760
your shitheads ain't never met Harpy, did you Now all

2479
02:57:21.879 --> 02:57:25.479
them ghosties come flying right at Harpy. They try passing

2480
02:57:25.520 --> 02:57:29.600
through me and bounce off. Don't ask how Harpy repels ghosties.

2481
02:57:30.120 --> 02:57:33.600
I probably adapted to him. Of course, Harpy can do

2482
02:57:33.680 --> 02:57:37.440
lots of things. Bethy can't. I leap over to Harmony

2483
02:57:37.479 --> 02:57:40.559
and break a ropes. We're getting out of here, rich bitch.

2484
02:57:41.159 --> 02:57:45.120
Harmony tightens her jaw and looks right at Harpy. Excuse you,

2485
02:57:45.840 --> 02:57:51.200
I laugh a little. Okay, okay, boss bitch. Harmony smirks.

2486
02:57:51.680 --> 02:57:55.399
That's more like it, squawker. I point at her. You're

2487
02:57:55.399 --> 02:57:59.280
pushing your luck, calling Harpy a squawker. Maybe Harpy, you'll

2488
02:57:59.319 --> 02:58:02.639
leave you here at after all? Then I think to Bethany,

2489
02:58:03.879 --> 02:58:07.840
how do we kill ghosties? Sissy, Let's just get out

2490
02:58:07.840 --> 02:58:12.600
of here. Bethy returns works for Harpy. I think back.

2491
02:58:13.000 --> 02:58:16.079
I turned to Harmony. Come on, boss bitch, we out

2492
02:58:16.120 --> 02:58:18.879
of here. I hoist up Harmony and speed to the

2493
02:58:18.920 --> 02:58:22.239
doors we came in through. This time, Bethy ain't suggesting

2494
02:58:22.319 --> 02:58:25.920
coming out again. I put Harmony down and pump my fists.

2495
02:58:26.399 --> 02:58:30.079
Harpy's throwing punch after punch, but the door refuses to

2496
02:58:30.120 --> 02:58:34.799
budge again them Ghosties are getting closer. Then Harpy takes

2497
02:58:34.840 --> 02:58:40.120
another deep breath before focusing on the doors again. Harpy Mad.

2498
02:58:40.840 --> 02:58:43.799
Harpy hits them doors so hard they fly right past

2499
02:58:43.840 --> 02:58:47.239
the hummer. Bethy and me came here in. Harmony and

2500
02:58:47.280 --> 02:58:50.879
Harpy run outside. I tossed the keys to her. Get

2501
02:58:50.920 --> 02:58:54.920
out of here. Harmony tosses him back. I'm not getting

2502
02:58:54.920 --> 02:58:58.280
my ass pulled over for driving a stolen vehicle. How

2503
02:58:58.360 --> 02:59:02.040
fucking stupid do you think I am. She's got a

2504
02:59:02.079 --> 02:59:06.680
good point, Harpy Bethy thinks at me, Yeah, yeah, I

2505
02:59:06.760 --> 02:59:10.319
think back. But we wouldn't have had a chance to

2506
02:59:10.399 --> 02:59:14.000
leave in the hummer. The ghosties go into it and

2507
02:59:14.120 --> 02:59:20.399
make it blow up. Hey, Harpy love driving that car.

2508
02:59:21.000 --> 02:59:25.959
Harpy yells at the ghosties car. That's it. Harpy Bethy

2509
02:59:26.079 --> 02:59:29.120
cries out, We've got to go look for that car,

2510
02:59:29.559 --> 02:59:32.680
the one those men came here in. I reported it

2511
02:59:32.719 --> 02:59:35.159
once I got my new cell phone, but the police

2512
02:59:35.159 --> 02:59:38.840
said they never found it. So how do we find it? Sissy?

2513
02:59:39.520 --> 02:59:42.559
I think we'll have to just go looking for it.

2514
02:59:43.000 --> 02:59:46.879
She thinks back, there's no easy way to do it.

2515
02:59:47.959 --> 02:59:50.760
Then Harpy's eyes changed for me. To see better in

2516
02:59:50.799 --> 02:59:56.959
the dark. Ooh, night vision. So what now? Harmony asks,

2517
02:59:57.280 --> 03:00:01.639
you're coming with me, boss, bitch? I tell her. Harpy

2518
03:00:01.719 --> 03:00:05.440
removes her jacket and gives it to Harmony. After she

2519
03:00:05.520 --> 03:00:08.280
puts it on, Harpy lifts her onto her shoulder again.

2520
03:00:09.200 --> 03:00:13.319
Put me down, you squawker, she yells, you are so

2521
03:00:13.639 --> 03:00:18.000
fired whatever I muttered back. Can't leave you here for

2522
03:00:18.040 --> 03:00:22.159
them ghosties. Right, Harpy's finding she can run real fast.

2523
03:00:22.719 --> 03:00:26.719
Harpy's feeling her leg muscles swelling up and burning. Yeah,

2524
03:00:26.879 --> 03:00:30.719
Bethy's superpower is in her brains. Harpy's being able to

2525
03:00:30.760 --> 03:00:34.399
adapt to shit. Harpy can cover a lot of ground

2526
03:00:34.479 --> 03:00:38.319
fast now, even wearing heels. Bethy tells me where she

2527
03:00:38.440 --> 03:00:42.600
hit the car, So Harpy heads that away. Stop. We

2528
03:00:42.680 --> 03:00:46.000
hear one of them ghosties calling out, what do you

2529
03:00:46.040 --> 03:00:49.920
think you're doing? Another one calls out looking for a

2530
03:00:50.000 --> 03:00:53.799
place to pee. I call back, you fuckers want to watch.

2531
03:00:54.879 --> 03:00:58.319
Harpy keeps running and keeping ahead of the ghosties. When

2532
03:00:58.360 --> 03:01:01.920
Harpy starts running out of breath, she's feeling something weird

2533
03:01:01.959 --> 03:01:06.840
in both lungs. Harpy adapting again. I know what happened,

2534
03:01:06.879 --> 03:01:10.200
but Harpy ain't breathing now and can run even faster.

2535
03:01:11.040 --> 03:01:14.840
The thing about these adaptations is when I become Bethy again,

2536
03:01:14.879 --> 03:01:17.559
I lose all of them till they gotta happen again.

2537
03:01:18.559 --> 03:01:21.879
When Harpy makes it to the main highway, Bethy tells

2538
03:01:21.879 --> 03:01:25.600
me where to go. After a little more running over

2539
03:01:25.639 --> 03:01:30.520
here Harpy. Bethy cries, I see it, Sissy, I think back.

2540
03:01:31.120 --> 03:01:34.159
Harpy steps on it and races to the snow covered car.

2541
03:01:34.799 --> 03:01:38.600
When I reach it, I put Harmony back down. It's

2542
03:01:38.639 --> 03:01:43.559
a burnout car with three charred skeletons sitting inside. What now, Cissy,

2543
03:01:43.920 --> 03:01:47.719
I think, use that strength of yours and start digging.

2544
03:01:48.159 --> 03:01:52.120
Bethany thinks back, Ah, I get you now, Bethy. I

2545
03:01:52.200 --> 03:01:55.840
tell her Harpy's grabbing and tearing chunks out of the ground,

2546
03:01:56.239 --> 03:02:00.000
Bethy's ideas to make three graves. I'm thinking, She's thinking,

2547
03:02:00.079 --> 03:02:03.680
and we gotta give those idiots decent burials. I remember

2548
03:02:03.719 --> 03:02:06.879
how Papa used to tell us stories about burying the

2549
03:02:06.959 --> 03:02:09.760
dead and why when we was kids back in Brooklyn.

2550
03:02:10.399 --> 03:02:14.200
Harpy keeps digging and digging. My hands become bigger and

2551
03:02:14.280 --> 03:02:17.719
turn into long claws. Now I'm own hard when I'm

2552
03:02:17.760 --> 03:02:21.879
feeling my muscles growing more and more, Harpy can easily

2553
03:02:21.959 --> 03:02:26.079
rip more and more ground out. Now those fucking ghosts

2554
03:02:26.120 --> 03:02:31.239
are getting closer, Squawker, Harmony yells my way, keep it up, Harmony,

2555
03:02:31.600 --> 03:02:35.040
Harpy'll be digging a fourth grave just for you. I growl.

2556
03:02:35.760 --> 03:02:38.879
Now shut up and make yourself useful by getting them

2557
03:02:38.879 --> 03:02:45.239
skeletons out of the car. Oh Christ, Harmony groans. Ew

2558
03:02:46.520 --> 03:02:49.319
Harpy's a real mess. By the time she's finished digging

2559
03:02:49.360 --> 03:02:52.840
the graves. Harpy's new clothes she got at the mall

2560
03:02:53.079 --> 03:02:57.360
before leaving got all fucked up. I even lost my boots,

2561
03:02:58.120 --> 03:03:03.079
least my nails. Okay, claw are still perfect. Leave those

2562
03:03:03.120 --> 03:03:07.239
skeletons alone. Ed Smith roars as the ghosties are almost

2563
03:03:07.280 --> 03:03:11.120
on us. I run and help Harmony. Harpy rips the

2564
03:03:11.159 --> 03:03:14.959
door off and grabs two skeletons. Harmony grabs the last one.

2565
03:03:15.719 --> 03:03:19.159
Come on, boss, bitch, let's move, I tell her. Then,

2566
03:03:19.239 --> 03:03:22.120
I think to Bethy, there ain't no burial rates we

2567
03:03:22.159 --> 03:03:25.520
gotta perform, is there? I only know what Dad talked

2568
03:03:25.559 --> 03:03:30.040
about years ago. Bethy thinks back, we can only hope

2569
03:03:30.079 --> 03:03:34.159
burying them works. Harmony and me get the skeletons into

2570
03:03:34.159 --> 03:03:38.200
the graves. Now, Harpy's gotta cover up the holes. Stop

2571
03:03:38.280 --> 03:03:42.280
right there, or we'll kill the mirror woman. Riddle threatens Harpy.

2572
03:03:43.079 --> 03:03:46.840
Harmony points to me. You keep right on working, you squawker.

2573
03:03:47.120 --> 03:03:49.639
I'm rehiring you, so you do what your boss bitch

2574
03:03:49.680 --> 03:03:53.559
tells you. Move it. Harpy works faster and faster till

2575
03:03:53.600 --> 03:03:57.440
the holes are filled in. Harpy's feeling really strong now,

2576
03:03:57.879 --> 03:04:01.280
I groan when I'm still getting stronger and bigger. My

2577
03:04:01.399 --> 03:04:04.360
mini skirt rips until it falls off, and my top

2578
03:04:04.440 --> 03:04:07.239
rips at the sides, but don't completely fall off to

2579
03:04:07.319 --> 03:04:11.319
reveal the ladies. Harmony quickly comes and stands to where

2580
03:04:11.319 --> 03:04:15.280
I'm blocking the ghosties. Harpy keeps working and working till

2581
03:04:15.319 --> 03:04:19.239
all the graves are filled in completely. It's then when

2582
03:04:19.280 --> 03:04:22.559
the ghosties roar and disappear in a bright flash of light.

2583
03:04:23.559 --> 03:04:29.040
When the ghosties are gone, Harpy stands back up. Holy shit,

2584
03:04:29.760 --> 03:04:35.719
Harmony shrieks, Squawker, you're you're Harpy's a good three heads

2585
03:04:35.760 --> 03:04:40.600
taller than Harmony now and she's ripped all over. Harpy

2586
03:04:40.680 --> 03:04:44.440
turned into a big Amazon. Harpy then I pick up

2587
03:04:44.479 --> 03:04:47.280
Harmony by her shoulders and look her in the face.

2588
03:04:48.040 --> 03:04:51.920
Even like this, Harmony still ain't scared of Harpy. You

2589
03:04:52.159 --> 03:04:54.319
do know I still expect you to guard the ma

2590
03:04:54.319 --> 03:04:59.200
al toonite, you squawker, even though it is Christmas. Then

2591
03:04:59.319 --> 03:05:03.000
she looks hard again. Guess I'll have to get you

2592
03:05:03.040 --> 03:05:10.239
a bigger uniform perspective. Bethany Harpy, still in her Amazon

2593
03:05:10.399 --> 03:05:13.559
like state, ran all the way back to Strickfield Town

2594
03:05:13.680 --> 03:05:18.799
Center Mall with Harmony miron cradled in her arms. Even barefoot,

2595
03:05:18.840 --> 03:05:21.120
Harpy could still run like she had the best set

2596
03:05:21.159 --> 03:05:24.879
of running shoes money could buy, even though our panties

2597
03:05:24.959 --> 03:05:28.120
in her top were stretched to their limits. The freezing

2598
03:05:28.200 --> 03:05:31.600
cold didn't bother Harpy in the slightest, and she had

2599
03:05:31.639 --> 03:05:35.559
a lot of skin exposed. The mall is still closed.

2600
03:05:36.079 --> 03:05:39.680
After Harpy put Harmony down, she pulls out her keyring

2601
03:05:40.040 --> 03:05:42.399
and uses her master key to open the entrance to

2602
03:05:42.479 --> 03:05:47.159
let us back inside. Harpy squats down to enter after

2603
03:05:47.239 --> 03:05:50.200
Harmony locks the door back up. She turns to look

2604
03:05:50.239 --> 03:05:53.239
at Harpy and is still amazed at how tall and

2605
03:05:53.559 --> 03:05:54.520
muscular she is.

2606
03:05:55.680 --> 03:05:55.920
Now.

2607
03:05:56.000 --> 03:05:59.600
Harpy and Harmony are just looking at each other, even

2608
03:05:59.639 --> 03:06:03.120
though it's nice and warm in the mall. Harmony's shivering now,

2609
03:06:04.000 --> 03:06:08.200
no more like trembling. Then she falls to her knees

2610
03:06:08.239 --> 03:06:12.479
and starts crying. Harpy lowers herself to one knee and

2611
03:06:12.520 --> 03:06:16.479
puts a huge hand on her shoulder. Ah, hey, what's

2612
03:06:16.520 --> 03:06:20.079
the matter. Why the tears? We got out of them

2613
03:06:20.120 --> 03:06:23.399
woods and beat them ghosties. No problem, right, Come on?

2614
03:06:23.559 --> 03:06:29.639
Why so sad on Christmas? I hate my life, she

2615
03:06:29.799 --> 03:06:34.000
chokes out. I hate this fucking mall, I really hate it.

2616
03:06:35.200 --> 03:06:38.280
She makes herself look up at Harvey. I hate my

2617
03:06:38.440 --> 03:06:41.559
fucking parents. Nobody has any idea of the hell they

2618
03:06:41.600 --> 03:06:44.559
put me through. They pounded the mirror and weighs into

2619
03:06:44.600 --> 03:06:48.120
me over and over again. I wasn't allowed to date,

2620
03:06:48.159 --> 03:06:52.239
I wasn't allowed to leave the house. I was always homeschooled.

2621
03:06:52.639 --> 03:06:55.879
Everything in my life was planned out for me, ruining

2622
03:06:55.920 --> 03:07:00.920
my childhood. I was being groomed to take over dad's businesses.

2623
03:07:01.879 --> 03:07:05.399
Harmony gets up. She makes a fist and screams as

2624
03:07:05.440 --> 03:07:09.280
she's about to punch a nearby wall. Harpy quickly stops

2625
03:07:09.280 --> 03:07:13.159
her before she punches it and injures herself. She turns

2626
03:07:13.159 --> 03:07:17.840
her around. Come on, you can talk to Harpy, She

2627
03:07:18.079 --> 03:07:21.959
urges Harmony. I ain't got nothing but time. I'm your

2628
03:07:22.000 --> 03:07:25.319
nighttime security guard. Remember or did you really mean it

2629
03:07:25.360 --> 03:07:30.760
when you said Harpy was fired? Please don't leave, Harmony begs,

2630
03:07:31.840 --> 03:07:34.879
I have to talk to somebody. I can't. I can't

2631
03:07:34.920 --> 03:07:40.200
be alone on Christmas again. Please we sit down with

2632
03:07:40.239 --> 03:07:43.319
Harmony and let her talk. The two of us are

2633
03:07:43.360 --> 03:07:47.280
both sad at hearing how Harmony inherited them all after

2634
03:07:47.319 --> 03:07:50.399
her parents were killed by the Angel of Death and

2635
03:07:50.559 --> 03:07:53.120
was forced to learn everything about the business on her

2636
03:07:53.159 --> 03:07:56.760
own and keep it from going under. She had to

2637
03:07:56.840 --> 03:07:59.879
raise money to pay off all the investors who demanded return.

2638
03:08:00.799 --> 03:08:03.040
She ended up getting pregnant because she met a man

2639
03:08:03.120 --> 03:08:06.600
in a bar when she snuck out one night. When

2640
03:08:06.600 --> 03:08:09.680
her parents learned she was pregnant, they wanted to throw

2641
03:08:09.719 --> 03:08:13.639
her out. They didn't, though they made her take care

2642
03:08:13.680 --> 03:08:18.680
of the baby herself. Harmony had sleepless nights once Melanie

2643
03:08:18.719 --> 03:08:23.159
was born. To make matters worse, Harmony ended up losing

2644
03:08:23.200 --> 03:08:27.000
Melanie when her grandparents suit her for custody and won.

2645
03:08:28.120 --> 03:08:31.079
Since Harmony had to keep this mall going and keep

2646
03:08:31.120 --> 03:08:34.120
it from collapsing and having to pay off the investors.

2647
03:08:34.120 --> 03:08:38.360
She couldn't make enough quality time for her child. Even

2648
03:08:38.399 --> 03:08:41.719
though she brought her daughter to the mall, her grandparents

2649
03:08:41.719 --> 03:08:44.680
still didn't think it was an ideal environment for a baby.

2650
03:08:45.760 --> 03:08:48.479
It's no secret that the Mirons will turn on anybody,

2651
03:08:48.879 --> 03:08:52.479
even their own. Harmony finally had to sell the family

2652
03:08:52.559 --> 03:08:56.399
mansion to pay off the debts. She since got the

2653
03:08:56.479 --> 03:09:00.239
mall in the black. But now Harmony reveals them all

2654
03:09:00.239 --> 03:09:05.079
itself is actually her home. Guess that explains why she's

2655
03:09:05.120 --> 03:09:10.200
always here. Harmony had been crying and trembling while venting

2656
03:09:10.280 --> 03:09:13.840
to us. I think she was surprised Harpy was willing

2657
03:09:13.920 --> 03:09:20.479
to listen. Hey you're gonna be okay, Harpy tells her softly.

2658
03:09:21.360 --> 03:09:25.879
Harmony takes Harpy's big hand in hers. I know we're

2659
03:09:25.920 --> 03:09:30.639
on pins and needles, but I'm glad you're here, and

2660
03:09:31.680 --> 03:09:35.520
thanks for not kicking my ass. Believe me, I know

2661
03:09:35.680 --> 03:09:40.000
I deserve it. Now you just stop right there, Harpy snaps.

2662
03:09:40.479 --> 03:09:45.360
Remember something, it's Christmas. It's never too late to change

2663
03:09:45.399 --> 03:09:48.680
who you are, and even Harpy knows it's this time

2664
03:09:48.719 --> 03:09:51.879
of year when you can do it. I mean it

2665
03:09:51.959 --> 03:09:56.159
worked for Scrooge, right, I myself watched a Christmas carol

2666
03:09:56.280 --> 03:09:59.920
enough times. We can see things through our eyes together,

2667
03:10:00.520 --> 03:10:03.200
regardless of who the dominant soul is at the time.

2668
03:10:04.479 --> 03:10:10.680
You really think I can change, Harmony stammers. You can

2669
03:10:10.719 --> 03:10:14.479
do what you want. Harpy tells her. You're still young.

2670
03:10:14.680 --> 03:10:17.040
It ain't too late. You don't want to be like

2671
03:10:17.120 --> 03:10:19.479
Scrooge and be over the hill and find life passed

2672
03:10:19.479 --> 03:10:22.559
you by, do you, especially if you was mean and

2673
03:10:22.639 --> 03:10:26.799
nasty all your life. Yeah, you can change, you gotta

2674
03:10:26.840 --> 03:10:33.440
wana though. Harmony nods quickly. Thank you, squawker. I do

2675
03:10:33.520 --> 03:10:37.360
want to keep working here. It sure sounds like Harmony's

2676
03:10:37.399 --> 03:10:44.079
taken a real liking to Harpy. Harpy smirks, you got it, boss, bitch.

2677
03:10:45.399 --> 03:10:49.000
Then Harpy lifts Harmony into her arms as the two

2678
03:10:49.079 --> 03:10:52.479
of them hug. I think this is the start of

2679
03:10:52.520 --> 03:10:59.399
a beautiful friendship between these two frenemies. Also, Harmony promised

2680
03:10:59.399 --> 03:11:03.840
to keep this secret Harpy and I share together. The

2681
03:11:03.959 --> 03:11:08.440
question is will Harmony change for the better the way

2682
03:11:08.479 --> 03:11:13.559
Ebenezer Scrooge did. I guess we'll see. I myself think

2683
03:11:13.600 --> 03:11:16.879
the spirit of Christmas caught up to harmony. If a

2684
03:11:16.959 --> 03:11:20.719
rough edged Brooklyn spitfire like Harpy can learn the meaning

2685
03:11:20.719 --> 03:11:25.600
of Christmas, then harmony can learn too. The truth is

2686
03:11:26.399 --> 03:11:29.399
we can all learn to embrace the spirit of Christmas.

2687
03:11:30.520 --> 03:11:33.719
All we have to do is just open our hearts

2688
03:11:34.719 --> 03:11:50.000
and let it in Merry Christmas Holiday Homecoming Hullabaloo by

2689
03:11:50.159 --> 03:11:55.520
Joe Solmo, Hey, Grandpa, came the voice of a child

2690
03:11:55.559 --> 03:11:59.959
from the other room. The chill late December air followed

2691
03:12:00.040 --> 03:12:04.360
as Mark's daughter and grandson entered. A smile crossed his

2692
03:12:04.520 --> 03:12:07.760
creased face, and his eyes lit up brighter than the

2693
03:12:07.840 --> 03:12:12.079
Christmas tree adjacent to the big picture window looking out

2694
03:12:12.399 --> 03:12:17.319
on suburbia. It had been five years since Brandon died,

2695
03:12:18.200 --> 03:12:21.680
since she lost the love of her life. It took

2696
03:12:21.760 --> 03:12:24.440
her that long to get herself back into a position

2697
03:12:25.159 --> 03:12:30.200
to have control on her life, not just emotionally, but financially.

2698
03:12:31.319 --> 03:12:34.600
It was the first time since the funeral she could

2699
03:12:34.600 --> 03:12:38.879
come home for a visit to their hometown and where

2700
03:12:38.920 --> 03:12:43.719
her husband was buried. Hey, there, Bryce, look how big

2701
03:12:43.760 --> 03:12:48.479
you got, Mark said, rising from his chair with some effort.

2702
03:12:48.760 --> 03:12:51.840
His hip was bothering him again. He would have to

2703
03:12:51.879 --> 03:12:54.840
ask Amy to bring him his prescription when she got

2704
03:12:54.879 --> 03:12:58.520
back from the store. He gave his grandson a look over.

2705
03:12:59.399 --> 03:13:02.559
He could see his daughter's face and the one looking

2706
03:13:02.639 --> 03:13:06.799
back at him. She had the same cherub cheeks separated

2707
03:13:06.840 --> 03:13:10.959
with a gap toothed smile when she was ten. He

2708
03:13:11.000 --> 03:13:13.879
looked up at his daughter standing in the doorway to

2709
03:13:13.959 --> 03:13:18.600
the living room. He wondered where the time had gone.

2710
03:13:18.680 --> 03:13:21.959
She had turned into a woman without him even knowing.

2711
03:13:22.920 --> 03:13:27.440
He held out his arms, inviting her in. Jennifer rushed

2712
03:13:27.440 --> 03:13:30.760
to her father. It had been years since she had

2713
03:13:30.799 --> 03:13:37.200
smelled his aftershave. They stood there, father and daughter reunited

2714
03:13:37.719 --> 03:13:42.120
in silence. Only the crackle of the fireplace made a sound.

2715
03:13:43.280 --> 03:13:47.040
A short moment passed before Bryce started to tug on

2716
03:13:47.079 --> 03:13:51.280
his mom's jacket. Mom, I have to use the bathroom,

2717
03:13:51.920 --> 03:13:55.639
he said in a whiny voice. Jennifer pulled away from

2718
03:13:55.639 --> 03:13:59.559
her father with a smile. It's right down the hall,

2719
03:13:59.639 --> 03:14:02.639
young man, and Mark said and held his hand out

2720
03:14:03.159 --> 03:14:07.440
right this way. Jennifer watched her father lead her son

2721
03:14:08.079 --> 03:14:11.959
down the same dark wood paneled walls towards the bathroom.

2722
03:14:12.920 --> 03:14:15.600
She remembered him walking her down that hall with the

2723
03:14:15.639 --> 03:14:19.959
same paneling. It might be time to replace it, she thought.

2724
03:14:21.079 --> 03:14:24.920
She dropped into a worn armchair facing the fire and

2725
03:14:24.959 --> 03:14:30.159
took a moment to herself to enjoy the warmth, the silence,

2726
03:14:30.840 --> 03:14:35.280
and the feeling of being home. She had been so

2727
03:14:35.479 --> 03:14:39.280
disheveled since the funeral, trying to figure out who she

2728
03:14:39.600 --> 03:14:43.239
was and where she was going to land. She had

2729
03:14:43.239 --> 03:14:46.840
barely had a moment to sit and just enjoy life,

2730
03:14:47.719 --> 03:14:52.920
or even fine joy in life, if she was being honest.

2731
03:14:54.200 --> 03:14:57.600
Her eye drifted over the various knickknacks and bric a

2732
03:14:57.680 --> 03:15:02.559
brac her parents had collected in their forty years of marriage.

2733
03:15:03.079 --> 03:15:07.559
Various ceramic figures stood vigilant on wooden shelves in both

2734
03:15:07.639 --> 03:15:11.760
interior corners of the room, A stark white against the

2735
03:15:11.879 --> 03:15:16.920
dark walnut paneling. A dancing girl twirling an umbrella was

2736
03:15:16.959 --> 03:15:20.479
on the top shelf, next to a fisherman holding a

2737
03:15:20.600 --> 03:15:25.159
rod with a whopper of a fish. Jennifer remembered when

2738
03:15:25.200 --> 03:15:28.360
she was a child, she had said they were her parents,

2739
03:15:28.920 --> 03:15:32.200
since her mom loved to dance and her dad spent

2740
03:15:32.319 --> 03:15:37.239
many saturdays on the water. A pop in the fireplace

2741
03:15:37.319 --> 03:15:42.159
grabbed her attention. She stared into the fire, remembering so

2742
03:15:42.319 --> 03:15:46.799
many years ago her father stoking that fire as her

2743
03:15:46.840 --> 03:15:50.719
and her brother would gather to open their presence for Christmas.

2744
03:15:51.680 --> 03:15:55.559
She wanted that same kind of memory for her son, Bryce,

2745
03:15:56.559 --> 03:16:00.559
but it wasn't meant to be. Bryce could have a

2746
03:16:00.680 --> 03:16:04.440
Christmas with his father. Why did Brandon have to be

2747
03:16:04.559 --> 03:16:07.479
such an asshole and die on her, leave her to

2748
03:16:07.559 --> 03:16:11.040
raise Bryce alone? He said he would always be there

2749
03:16:11.079 --> 03:16:16.239
for her, But where was he now? Deep down inside,

2750
03:16:16.840 --> 03:16:20.440
she knew she could face whatever came her way. She

2751
03:16:20.680 --> 03:16:24.479
just didn't want to face it alone. She missed having

2752
03:16:24.520 --> 03:16:28.920
him around to bounce ideas off, to make memories with, hell,

2753
03:16:29.799 --> 03:16:32.520
just to snuggle with on the couch with a good movie.

2754
03:16:34.000 --> 03:16:37.959
She wished he was there with her now. She stood

2755
03:16:38.040 --> 03:16:41.680
up and got closer to the fireplace, looking at the

2756
03:16:41.719 --> 03:16:45.799
old pictures and stand up frames on the mantle. Then

2757
03:16:46.000 --> 03:16:49.239
her eyes fell upon the saw her father had on

2758
03:16:49.280 --> 03:16:54.680
the mantle on a little stand. It looked old, ancient really,

2759
03:16:55.639 --> 03:16:58.840
The wood handle sanded smooth except where a sun and

2760
03:16:58.959 --> 03:17:04.959
moon were carved, forming the grooves for fingers. Her father

2761
03:17:05.319 --> 03:17:09.319
never spoke of the saw, He never used it. It

2762
03:17:09.479 --> 03:17:13.360
just sat there as a curious curio from the past.

2763
03:17:14.879 --> 03:17:18.600
She traced her fingers along the polished metal surface of

2764
03:17:18.639 --> 03:17:22.799
the blade, careful to keep her fingertips from the sharp teeth.

2765
03:17:23.719 --> 03:17:28.319
It called to her in some subconscious way. She could

2766
03:17:28.319 --> 03:17:34.920
almost hear a voice call her name in a breathy whisper, Jennifer.

2767
03:17:36.959 --> 03:17:40.319
She wrapped her hand around it. It was warm to

2768
03:17:40.399 --> 03:17:44.239
the touch. She felt the pulse of life in the wood,

2769
03:17:45.440 --> 03:17:53.719
like a heartbeat. Jennifer. That voice so familiar, like a

2770
03:17:53.760 --> 03:17:59.200
favorite hoodie or blanket. The words wrapped around her, comforting her.

2771
03:18:00.159 --> 03:18:05.200
Where did she know it from? Jennifer? Are you okay?

2772
03:18:06.319 --> 03:18:10.639
Jennifer gasped and pulled her hand back. She turned to

2773
03:18:10.639 --> 03:18:15.719
see her mother looking concerned at her. Didn't you hear

2774
03:18:15.760 --> 03:18:20.879
me come in? Jenny, Amy asked, No, I guess not,

2775
03:18:21.760 --> 03:18:25.840
she replied, looking back at the saw resting on its

2776
03:18:25.879 --> 03:18:31.280
display stand. Grandma came a shrill voice from the hall

2777
03:18:32.079 --> 03:18:35.639
as Bryce charged into the down coat his grandmother wore.

2778
03:18:36.399 --> 03:18:39.879
He wrapped his arms around her waist and squeezed so

2779
03:18:40.159 --> 03:18:45.000
hard she could hardly breathe. Nice to see you, Bryce,

2780
03:18:45.760 --> 03:18:49.479
she said in a strained voice. She tried to pry

2781
03:18:49.600 --> 03:18:54.479
his young arms apart and escape his excited clutch. Bryce,

2782
03:18:54.680 --> 03:18:58.479
Let your grandma go, Jennifer said, and helped her mom

2783
03:18:58.559 --> 03:19:04.360
out got any cookies, Bryce asked, I might. Let's go

2784
03:19:04.399 --> 03:19:07.680
to the kitchen and find out, although I think it's

2785
03:19:07.799 --> 03:19:13.280
time for lunch, Amy said, leading him away. Amy, dear

2786
03:19:14.040 --> 03:19:20.440
my pills, Mark asked right away. His wife replied, Dad,

2787
03:19:20.479 --> 03:19:24.479
I could have gotten them for you. Jennifer stated, no

2788
03:19:24.600 --> 03:19:28.280
big deal, she likes to fuss over me. Mark answered

2789
03:19:28.319 --> 03:19:31.399
and sat back down where he was before company came.

2790
03:19:32.399 --> 03:19:36.159
Have a seat, he finished, gesturing to the chair she

2791
03:19:36.319 --> 03:19:40.840
was sitting in earlier. Grandma said, come get lunch, Bryce said,

2792
03:19:41.000 --> 03:19:46.399
entering the room. I'm not very hungry, Jennifer said, looking

2793
03:19:46.479 --> 03:19:50.159
up at the mantle. Grandma said, I can't have a

2794
03:19:50.239 --> 03:19:55.399
cookie until everyone eats lunch. Bryce answered his mom looks

2795
03:19:55.479 --> 03:19:59.639
like we have no choice. Mark said, help your grandfather up.

2796
03:20:00.360 --> 03:20:04.319
Bryce grabbed his grandfather's sweater sleeve and gave a big yank.

2797
03:20:05.159 --> 03:20:09.440
He pulled the sleeve half off Mark's arm. Easy, you

2798
03:20:09.520 --> 03:20:13.399
gotta hold my hand, Mark said, with a chuckle. Bryce

2799
03:20:13.440 --> 03:20:16.280
did better the second time, and they all went to

2800
03:20:16.360 --> 03:20:20.239
the kitchen. Let's go get lunch. Then I can take

2801
03:20:20.280 --> 03:20:25.920
my pills. Supposed to take him with food anyway, Mark finished, Look, Grandpa,

2802
03:20:26.479 --> 03:20:32.559
it's snowing as the evening shadows grew, the snow outside

2803
03:20:32.639 --> 03:20:37.440
began to pile up in large puffy flakes, the beauty

2804
03:20:37.479 --> 03:20:42.000
of which was lost on Keko. She came here to

2805
03:20:42.040 --> 03:20:46.399
the mortal realm for one reason, to get back what

2806
03:20:46.639 --> 03:20:51.440
was stolen from her people. It was her shame that

2807
03:20:51.559 --> 03:20:55.719
drove her. It was the perfect time, a fortnight to

2808
03:20:55.760 --> 03:20:59.319
get the job done. As the days grew their darkest

2809
03:20:59.719 --> 03:21:04.840
to cross over. It was a long way home, tunneling

2810
03:21:04.959 --> 03:21:09.440
through the strange rock of this new continent, but she

2811
03:21:09.600 --> 03:21:14.159
had to return to where it had happened. She eyed

2812
03:21:14.239 --> 03:21:18.360
the home of her adversary. Many years had gone by

2813
03:21:18.520 --> 03:21:23.239
since their paths had crossed since that night so long ago.

2814
03:21:24.239 --> 03:21:28.399
In fact, this wasn't where it happened at all, and

2815
03:21:28.479 --> 03:21:32.680
it took years to track him down. Fifty years ago.

2816
03:21:33.280 --> 03:21:38.200
This Christmas Eve, it happened, but she had no concern

2817
03:21:38.840 --> 03:21:43.319
for mortal calendars. All she knew was that her kind

2818
03:21:43.879 --> 03:21:47.159
could come out during the twelve days of Christmas while

2819
03:21:47.159 --> 03:21:52.040
the sun ceases its seasonal movement for that two week span.

2820
03:21:52.760 --> 03:21:55.920
They could put down their tools and take a break

2821
03:21:56.159 --> 03:21:59.280
from toiling down in the earth on the roots of

2822
03:21:59.319 --> 03:22:03.959
the world tree. The last time she was here was

2823
03:22:04.000 --> 03:22:10.120
a fiasco, one that she was now going to write. Keiko,

2824
03:22:10.639 --> 03:22:13.879
along with a fire hydrant, made their way across the

2825
03:22:13.920 --> 03:22:19.280
snow covered driveway, glancing this way and that her greatest

2826
03:22:19.319 --> 03:22:23.040
fear was that one of this world's dogs would grab

2827
03:22:23.120 --> 03:22:27.000
her and run off the hydrant. Sphere of dogs was

2828
03:22:27.040 --> 03:22:32.239
a different one altogether. She stood on tippy toes and

2829
03:22:32.360 --> 03:22:35.440
looked over the hood of the buick, but there was

2830
03:22:35.440 --> 03:22:41.600
no canine in sight. One diminutive hand slid into her pocket,

2831
03:22:42.319 --> 03:22:52.120
pulling out a small knife. A wicked smile crossed her face. Grandpa,

2832
03:22:52.840 --> 03:22:56.319
do you have any good Christmas stories? Bryce asked, with

2833
03:22:56.399 --> 03:23:02.200
a mouthful of gingerbread cookie about sam Huah. Mark asked, no,

2834
03:23:02.920 --> 03:23:07.280
I've heard all those. Those are boring, Bryce said, in

2835
03:23:07.319 --> 03:23:12.040
an impatient voice. Jennifer noticed her father's glance to the

2836
03:23:12.079 --> 03:23:16.120
mantle on the fireplace. It was only for a second,

2837
03:23:16.719 --> 03:23:20.760
but she caught it. Hey, Dad, why don't you tell

2838
03:23:20.760 --> 03:23:23.879
the story of that small saw on the mantle? Even

2839
03:23:23.959 --> 03:23:28.840
I haven't heard that one, Jennifer prodded. That's not a

2840
03:23:28.879 --> 03:23:34.159
story I'm particularly proud of. Mark responded with a sigh.

2841
03:23:34.520 --> 03:23:37.719
He rose to his feet gingerly and walked over to

2842
03:23:37.799 --> 03:23:41.280
the fireplace. He stared at the fire for a long

2843
03:23:41.360 --> 03:23:49.159
moment before he spoke again, Well, I'm not getting any younger,

2844
03:23:49.360 --> 03:23:53.799
it's probably best I get it off my chest. Mark

2845
03:23:53.920 --> 03:23:57.200
reached up with his weathered hand and wrapped it around

2846
03:23:57.239 --> 03:24:02.920
the handle, feeling the smooth worked wood once again in

2847
03:24:03.000 --> 03:24:07.760
his hands. No species of tree on Earth compared to this,

2848
03:24:08.239 --> 03:24:12.000
he thought, as he looked at the grain, which seemed

2849
03:24:12.079 --> 03:24:17.280
to shimmer from his touch. He turned and faced his family.

2850
03:24:18.360 --> 03:24:22.000
It was such a crazy story, an insane night from

2851
03:24:22.159 --> 03:24:26.440
five decades earlier, when he was just a teenager, a

2852
03:24:26.559 --> 03:24:30.760
story no one believed over the years, so much so

2853
03:24:31.559 --> 03:24:35.079
that he doubted his own memories if it wasn't for

2854
03:24:35.120 --> 03:24:39.760
the saw. A tear raced down his cheek as he

2855
03:24:39.799 --> 03:24:43.799
looked at it. At first, instinct had told him to

2856
03:24:43.840 --> 03:24:48.159
take it from her. Then he decided to keep the thing.

2857
03:24:49.079 --> 03:24:53.239
He always meant to return it some day, but one

2858
03:24:53.319 --> 03:25:01.879
year turned into another, then another. It was Christmas Eve,

2859
03:25:02.559 --> 03:25:05.479
a fourteen year old Mark was making his way through

2860
03:25:05.520 --> 03:25:10.079
the snow that covered the streets of Suburbia. He was

2861
03:25:10.200 --> 03:25:14.120
visiting his friend Claudio when Claudio's mother called down to

2862
03:25:14.159 --> 03:25:17.520
them in the basement. Mark, your mother wants you to

2863
03:25:17.520 --> 03:25:22.879
come home, she yelled down the stairs. Mark sighed. Always

2864
03:25:22.879 --> 03:25:25.959
in the middle of combat, he thought, as he threw

2865
03:25:26.079 --> 03:25:29.959
his twenty sided dice down on the table. I gotta go.

2866
03:25:30.959 --> 03:25:34.719
You leave now, you might die, Claudio said with a smirk.

2867
03:25:35.479 --> 03:25:38.799
Mark knew he was just teasing. He looked around the

2868
03:25:38.799 --> 03:25:44.440
table at his friend's Sorry guys, Mark said, before racing

2869
03:25:44.520 --> 03:25:48.799
up the stairs and out into the frigid air. He

2870
03:25:48.920 --> 03:25:51.719
still only had one arm in his coat, since the

2871
03:25:51.760 --> 03:25:54.760
other held his book back. He stopped in front of

2872
03:25:54.760 --> 03:25:57.520
the church on Main Street to put his jacket all

2873
03:25:57.559 --> 03:26:02.520
the way on. That's when he first saw her. At first,

2874
03:26:03.159 --> 03:26:06.399
he thought someone had let their kid out alone. The

2875
03:26:06.479 --> 03:26:09.159
small figure was in the front lawn of the church

2876
03:26:09.680 --> 03:26:13.360
and ducked behind the hedges that were carved into nativity

2877
03:26:13.399 --> 03:26:16.920
animals for the holidays. As he made his way in

2878
03:26:16.959 --> 03:26:19.879
front of the large brick building, he called out to

2879
03:26:19.920 --> 03:26:23.639
the kid, I swear if I get hit with a snowball,

2880
03:26:24.280 --> 03:26:29.479
he started to warn. Then he heard a sound. He

2881
03:26:29.600 --> 03:26:35.639
stopped and listened. In the snowstorm, sound was all but silenced,

2882
03:26:36.319 --> 03:26:41.479
but he heard the rhythmic sound of a saw. What

2883
03:26:41.680 --> 03:26:45.799
was that kid up to back? There, hey, kid, Mark

2884
03:26:45.879 --> 03:26:48.879
called out, and started to walk towards the break in

2885
03:26:48.920 --> 03:26:52.000
the hedges where the slabs of concrete lead to the

2886
03:26:52.000 --> 03:26:57.079
front door. You cutting down their hedges or something, Mark

2887
03:26:57.159 --> 03:26:59.520
finished as he rounded a hedge in the shape of

2888
03:26:59.520 --> 03:27:03.440
a donkey to confront the young child. What are you

2889
03:27:03.559 --> 03:27:07.360
up to, Mark asked the kid hidden in the shadows

2890
03:27:07.360 --> 03:27:12.040
of the hedge. The child gasped and turned to face him,

2891
03:27:12.399 --> 03:27:16.440
its features illuminated in a beam of street light. Mark

2892
03:27:16.520 --> 03:27:19.600
took a step back, unsure what he was looking at.

2893
03:27:20.360 --> 03:27:25.959
Its eyes showed years beyond comprehension, dark pools of eternity.

2894
03:27:27.040 --> 03:27:30.920
What he thought was a snowsuit was long brown hair

2895
03:27:31.680 --> 03:27:36.280
covering its body. He called it an it because it

2896
03:27:36.319 --> 03:27:41.120
had a long tail that flicked with nervous energy. What

2897
03:27:41.360 --> 03:27:47.840
are you, he whispered, in anxious awe. Keko it replied

2898
03:27:47.920 --> 03:27:53.719
in a feminine voice. You're cako, Mark asked. There was

2899
03:27:53.760 --> 03:27:57.479
a hint of wonder in his voice. He was still cautious,

2900
03:27:58.159 --> 03:28:05.879
but was more curious than anything else. Keiko name, the

2901
03:28:05.959 --> 03:28:10.840
creature responded, pointing at her chest. That was when he

2902
03:28:10.920 --> 03:28:16.159
first laid eyes on the saw. It was beautiful. What

2903
03:28:16.280 --> 03:28:20.799
are you doing with that? Saw, Keiko, he asked. The

2904
03:28:20.879 --> 03:28:25.239
creature clutched the small cutting tool to her chest protectively.

2905
03:28:26.399 --> 03:28:28.879
He looked past her and saw where she had been

2906
03:28:28.959 --> 03:28:33.559
sawing into the small trunks of the hedges. Small piles

2907
03:28:33.639 --> 03:28:39.079
of sawdust lay on the snow. Give me that, Mark said,

2908
03:28:39.520 --> 03:28:43.360
and yanked the saw from Keiko's hand. She growled at

2909
03:28:43.399 --> 03:28:45.719
him and charged at him with a quickness he was

2910
03:28:45.760 --> 03:28:50.360
not expecting. Mark backpedaled away a few steps, but when

2911
03:28:50.399 --> 03:28:53.479
he saw the look on Keiko's face, he thought it

2912
03:28:53.600 --> 03:28:57.639
best to run. He ran back to the street and

2913
03:28:57.719 --> 03:29:01.920
looked over his shoulder. Keiko was standing on the edge

2914
03:29:01.920 --> 03:29:05.159
of the road, and Mark could finally get a good

2915
03:29:05.159 --> 03:29:10.239
look at her. She had cloven feet, a hairy body,

2916
03:29:10.639 --> 03:29:15.079
and a tail. She growled at him, and he swore

2917
03:29:15.200 --> 03:29:19.399
her eyes glowed with a red intensity. He looked down

2918
03:29:19.440 --> 03:29:22.760
at the saw and thought about chucking it back at her,

2919
03:29:23.760 --> 03:29:27.799
but for some reason, he thought taking it was the

2920
03:29:27.879 --> 03:29:32.440
right thing to do to stop whatever mayhem Keiko was

2921
03:29:32.559 --> 03:29:38.760
up to. Clump clomp. Mark could hear Keiko behind him

2922
03:29:38.840 --> 03:29:43.479
and gaining fast. Suddenly, a burst of something shot past

2923
03:29:43.559 --> 03:29:48.159
him and hit a fire hydrant. The hydrant came alive,

2924
03:29:48.719 --> 03:29:51.840
splitting at the top into a mouth of fangs. It

2925
03:29:51.920 --> 03:29:55.799
broke free from the concrete and started after him with

2926
03:29:55.879 --> 03:30:01.280
a metallic clang. Oh shit, Mark yelled and ran back

2927
03:30:01.319 --> 03:30:05.120
across the street, diving through the same hedges he had

2928
03:30:05.159 --> 03:30:08.719
fled just in time as another blast hit The bush

2929
03:30:09.120 --> 03:30:12.719
shaped like a camel, and it came to life as well.

2930
03:30:13.719 --> 03:30:17.079
It lowered its head down towards him and roared with

2931
03:30:17.120 --> 03:30:21.920
an open, thorny mouth. It vomited a terrified, wide eyed

2932
03:30:21.959 --> 03:30:26.040
squirrel at him. Mark fell on his butt trying to

2933
03:30:26.040 --> 03:30:28.760
get away from the camel as it tried to lift

2934
03:30:28.799 --> 03:30:33.520
its legs and uproot itself to give chase. He scooted

2935
03:30:33.559 --> 03:30:37.719
backwards until his back came to rest on something. The camel,

2936
03:30:38.079 --> 03:30:40.959
the hydrant, and Keiko were standing at the edge of

2937
03:30:41.000 --> 03:30:46.840
the church lawn looking at him. Oh shit, I am

2938
03:30:46.920 --> 03:30:52.559
gonna die tonight. Claudio was right, he said, through shallow breaths,

2939
03:30:53.120 --> 03:30:57.840
give me back what is mine? Keiko said, why are

2940
03:30:57.840 --> 03:31:02.399
you destroying the hedges, asked, looking down at the saw

2941
03:31:02.479 --> 03:31:07.799
he still gripped for fun. Keiko replied and took a

2942
03:31:07.799 --> 03:31:12.399
few steps closer. You see, my kind only come to

2943
03:31:12.440 --> 03:31:15.760
the mortal realm for twelve days a year, we can

2944
03:31:15.799 --> 03:31:19.040
finally take a break from our labor and come live

2945
03:31:19.079 --> 03:31:22.120
it up. Causing a little mayhem as just how we

2946
03:31:22.200 --> 03:31:26.920
blow off steam after a hard year's work, The creature continued,

2947
03:31:28.479 --> 03:31:32.159
What do you do for work? Mark asked, trying to

2948
03:31:32.239 --> 03:31:35.520
bide him time until he caught his breath and could

2949
03:31:35.600 --> 03:31:39.840
run away again. My brothers and sisters and I saw

2950
03:31:39.920 --> 03:31:43.719
away at the World Tree. We were almost through this time.

2951
03:31:44.319 --> 03:31:47.159
One final push when we get back, should do it.

2952
03:31:47.840 --> 03:31:50.799
But right now, my kin are here with the mortals

2953
03:31:50.799 --> 03:31:55.639
for a little fun. Give me back my saw. Keiko snarled,

2954
03:31:56.799 --> 03:32:02.319
the World Tree. Don't we need that? Mark asked. In reality,

2955
03:32:02.879 --> 03:32:06.360
he had never heard of it. We cut and saw,

2956
03:32:06.559 --> 03:32:10.239
we make it fall, We saw and cut the World's

2957
03:32:10.280 --> 03:32:15.920
cup put the creature, fire, hydrant and camel sang in unison.

2958
03:32:17.120 --> 03:32:19.959
I got to get out of here, Mark said, and

2959
03:32:20.079 --> 03:32:23.559
scrambled to his feet, just as Cako held up a

2960
03:32:23.600 --> 03:32:28.280
wand and shot another blast at him. He somersaulted out

2961
03:32:28.280 --> 03:32:32.040
of the way, losing his backpack in the process. He

2962
03:32:32.159 --> 03:32:35.079
turned to see what the blast had hit and was

2963
03:32:35.120 --> 03:32:39.559
horrified as Baby Jesus crawled out of the manger with

2964
03:32:39.639 --> 03:32:43.920
a menacing look. Mark ran through the ankle deep snow

2965
03:32:44.239 --> 03:32:48.719
before launching over the hedges and raced home, still clutching

2966
03:32:48.760 --> 03:32:53.000
the saw in his hand. As the boy made his

2967
03:32:53.079 --> 03:32:56.879
way down the dark street, Keko picked up the backpack

2968
03:32:57.520 --> 03:33:02.200
and rifled through it, pulled out a hat and lowered

2969
03:33:02.239 --> 03:33:05.799
it to the crawling baby Jesus and had it sniff it.

2970
03:33:07.000 --> 03:33:11.079
Lead me to him, boy, she said, and followed the

2971
03:33:11.120 --> 03:33:15.479
little savior on the back of a thorny camel. The

2972
03:33:15.520 --> 03:33:20.600
fire hydrant reluctantly followed behind, having to clang his way

2973
03:33:21.479 --> 03:33:30.399
through the streets. Grandpa, did that really happen? Bryce asked,

2974
03:33:30.520 --> 03:33:34.159
with half a cookie stuffed in his mouth. Everyone had

2975
03:33:34.200 --> 03:33:38.159
been engrossed in the story. The room had grown dark,

2976
03:33:39.239 --> 03:33:43.319
the fire was now embers. Jennifer went over to stoke

2977
03:33:43.440 --> 03:33:48.600
and feed it every word of it. Mark said, Was

2978
03:33:48.639 --> 03:33:53.079
it an elf? Bryce asked, Oh, no, nothing like that.

2979
03:33:54.280 --> 03:33:58.200
It was a goblin, you see, a kalakant Tsarro's to

2980
03:33:58.280 --> 03:34:01.079
be exact. Took me away while to find them at

2981
03:34:01.079 --> 03:34:05.079
the library, but I eventually did you see? They spend

2982
03:34:05.159 --> 03:34:10.120
all year toiling underground, hacking and sawing at the world tree,

2983
03:34:10.159 --> 03:34:13.680
trying to topple the world but they get a Christmas

2984
03:34:13.760 --> 03:34:18.079
vacation like you do. For the twelve days of Christmas.

2985
03:34:18.600 --> 03:34:23.239
They come to the surface to cause mayhem. Every year

2986
03:34:23.280 --> 03:34:27.520
they cause mischief, then return to the world tree to

2987
03:34:27.600 --> 03:34:31.239
find it. It healed itself in their absence, and they

2988
03:34:31.280 --> 03:34:37.120
have to start all over again. Mark explained. The sound

2989
03:34:37.159 --> 03:34:41.120
of broken glass came from the kitchen. Jennifer was faster

2990
03:34:41.239 --> 03:34:44.159
than her parents and made it to the doorway. First.

2991
03:34:45.000 --> 03:34:47.879
She saw the shards of glass lying in the sink

2992
03:34:48.399 --> 03:34:51.840
as the curtains whipped around in the snowy wind coming through.

2993
03:34:53.239 --> 03:34:58.959
Then a small hand gripped the windowsill, and then another.

2994
03:35:00.280 --> 03:35:04.879
A face peeked out over the sill, straining to lift

2995
03:35:04.920 --> 03:35:11.360
itself with its tiny Nativity arms. There was a pounding

2996
03:35:11.399 --> 03:35:16.040
on the front door. Jennifer heard everyone gasp. What is it?

2997
03:35:16.559 --> 03:35:19.440
She called back. As she opened the closet where her

2998
03:35:19.440 --> 03:35:22.920
mom kept the brooms and mops. She grabbed the first

2999
03:35:22.959 --> 03:35:26.159
handle she could find and raised it like a weapon

3000
03:35:26.520 --> 03:35:31.920
towards the small savior. There is a there's a hydrant

3001
03:35:31.959 --> 03:35:35.200
at the door, Bryce called back, like it was the

3002
03:35:35.200 --> 03:35:40.120
most natural thing in the world. A hydrant, she called back,

3003
03:35:40.840 --> 03:35:45.680
and a grassy camel. The sun replied. Jennifer took a

3004
03:35:45.719 --> 03:35:49.319
deep breath and prepared to fend off the animated child

3005
03:35:49.360 --> 03:35:53.760
of God. It giggled a child's giggle as saliva dripped

3006
03:35:53.760 --> 03:35:57.639
off its fanged teeth. It ran a forked tongue over

3007
03:35:57.680 --> 03:36:02.360
those teeth as its blood red eyes made contact with Jennifers.

3008
03:36:02.920 --> 03:36:07.079
Not today, baby Jesus, she said, and swatted at the

3009
03:36:07.120 --> 03:36:10.959
tiny trinity with her broom, knocking it back into the sink.

3010
03:36:11.600 --> 03:36:14.079
She ran up and jabbed it with the wooden handle.

3011
03:36:14.760 --> 03:36:18.319
The nimble animated Nativity set dodged and grabbed with a

3012
03:36:18.319 --> 03:36:21.280
little hand on the end of the broom handle. It

3013
03:36:21.399 --> 03:36:24.840
had surprising strength, and it took all that Jennifer had

3014
03:36:24.879 --> 03:36:28.120
to pull it from his holy grip. She struck back,

3015
03:36:28.200 --> 03:36:32.040
but he dodged again. She hit the sink so hard

3016
03:36:32.079 --> 03:36:37.000
it split the wooden handle and made a sharp point. Mom,

3017
03:36:37.559 --> 03:36:41.280
they're breaking down the door, Bryce called from the other room.

3018
03:36:42.000 --> 03:36:45.680
In her manick state, Jennifer's fight or flight response removed

3019
03:36:45.719 --> 03:36:48.799
any intelligent thought and sent her in for the kill.

3020
03:36:49.239 --> 03:36:53.639
As the animated Christ Child climbed onto the countertop, it

3021
03:36:53.719 --> 03:36:56.120
was making its way towards the knife block a few

3022
03:36:56.159 --> 03:37:00.840
feet away. Jennifer jabbed again with the broken broom handle,

3023
03:37:01.079 --> 03:37:05.159
this time impaling the side of the diminutive Messiah. She

3024
03:37:05.319 --> 03:37:09.079
pushed with such force that the nearly weightless porcelain prophet

3025
03:37:09.360 --> 03:37:13.879
slid across the counter until the exposed broomstick stuck into

3026
03:37:13.920 --> 03:37:18.000
the wall. Its wicked, forked tongue lashed out at her,

3027
03:37:18.440 --> 03:37:22.120
wrapping around her wrist. She fought to pull back, but

3028
03:37:22.159 --> 03:37:25.440
the tongue is a strong muscle. She grabbed her arm

3029
03:37:25.479 --> 03:37:28.360
with her other hand and pulled. She started to make

3030
03:37:28.399 --> 03:37:32.600
some progress as the saliva coated muscle began to lose

3031
03:37:32.639 --> 03:37:37.200
its grip. From the other room, Jennifer heard the door

3032
03:37:37.360 --> 03:37:41.719
breaking down. She gave a final yank, giving a slip

3033
03:37:41.760 --> 03:37:45.760
to the tongue. The life left the animated body and

3034
03:37:45.840 --> 03:37:49.280
it fell limp. She watched the body for a few

3035
03:37:49.399 --> 03:37:54.200
seconds before she was satisfied it wouldn't attack again. A

3036
03:37:54.280 --> 03:37:58.639
golden light illuminated the pierced porcelain child, and a ghostly

3037
03:37:58.760 --> 03:38:03.239
visage of the baby raised up through the window. She

3038
03:38:03.360 --> 03:38:06.440
turned her back on the kitchen and started towards the

3039
03:38:06.479 --> 03:38:14.360
living room. Jennifer, she heard the voice again. It stopped

3040
03:38:14.360 --> 03:38:18.440
her in her tracks. She turned back around the hare

3041
03:38:18.639 --> 03:38:21.239
stood on the back of her neck. She could no

3042
03:38:21.319 --> 03:38:24.879
longer hear the chaos in the room next door. She

3043
03:38:24.920 --> 03:38:31.120
could only hear Jennifer. There is a way to fix this.

3044
03:38:33.680 --> 03:38:36.440
Bryce kicked at the fire hydrant as it opened its

3045
03:38:36.520 --> 03:38:40.639
toothy mouth and puked rusty water at him. It sent

3046
03:38:40.719 --> 03:38:44.600
him reeling back into his grandfather's chair. He shivered in

3047
03:38:44.639 --> 03:38:47.200
the cold water as he got back to his feet.

3048
03:38:47.840 --> 03:38:51.719
He had to protect his grandparents. Mark stood in front

3049
03:38:51.719 --> 03:38:54.639
of Amy as the camel backed them towards the wall

3050
03:38:54.760 --> 03:38:58.399
next to the fireplace. In his left hand, he held

3051
03:38:58.399 --> 03:39:03.799
the saw he had taken so long ago. Where was Keiko?

3052
03:39:04.000 --> 03:39:08.120
Why hadn't she made an appearance yet? The snarling mouth

3053
03:39:08.159 --> 03:39:11.319
of the camel monster closed in on Mark, its hot

3054
03:39:11.360 --> 03:39:15.879
breath the smell of burning leaves. Amy gasped behind him

3055
03:39:16.040 --> 03:39:19.760
when she realized there was only the wall behind them.

3056
03:39:20.120 --> 03:39:23.799
Don't worry, I won't let it hurt you, he reassured her.

3057
03:39:24.399 --> 03:39:27.159
The camel snipped at him, but he brought the saw

3058
03:39:27.239 --> 03:39:30.799
up in time. Its wooden teeth gnashed into the metal

3059
03:39:30.799 --> 03:39:33.799
of the saw. Mark struggled to keep a hold on

3060
03:39:33.840 --> 03:39:37.399
it as the carnivorous camel had Christmas miracle thrashed its

3061
03:39:37.479 --> 03:39:41.239
head left and right. He saw bits of sawdust fall

3062
03:39:41.520 --> 03:39:45.440
as the metal saw bit into the animated hedge. Leave

3063
03:39:45.479 --> 03:39:50.040
my grandpa alone, Bryce called out defiantly and slammed his

3064
03:39:50.120 --> 03:39:54.159
grandfather's cane into the side of the humped hedge. It

3065
03:39:54.239 --> 03:39:59.000
lost its balance and fell into the fireplace. A roaring

3066
03:39:59.079 --> 03:40:03.520
scream erupted from its maw. Smoke billowed out. A moment after,

3067
03:40:04.239 --> 03:40:07.760
the fire began to spread As the incendiary hedge camel

3068
03:40:07.879 --> 03:40:11.079
thrashed about. Amy and Mark moved out of the way,

3069
03:40:11.520 --> 03:40:15.159
looking for something to help keep the fire contained, but

3070
03:40:15.239 --> 03:40:18.399
they need not have worried, for their hero was in

3071
03:40:18.479 --> 03:40:22.360
the room with them. The hydrant vomited rusty water all

3072
03:40:22.399 --> 03:40:26.120
over his villainous friend trying to help, but by the

3073
03:40:26.200 --> 03:40:29.799
time the fire was out, the drenched dromedary was only

3074
03:40:29.840 --> 03:40:35.319
a skeleton of branches. Sadness crossed the hydrant's featureless face

3075
03:40:35.680 --> 03:40:40.200
as it realized his comrade was no longer moving. The

3076
03:40:40.239 --> 03:40:42.600
family took a moment to catch their breath. Now that

3077
03:40:42.680 --> 03:40:46.920
the fire was out, including the original fire in the fireplace,

3078
03:40:47.719 --> 03:40:51.639
Bryce watched his soot fell onto the wet law. He

3079
03:40:51.719 --> 03:40:54.719
took a step closer to the fireplace and picked up

3080
03:40:54.760 --> 03:40:59.600
the poker. A second later, a pair of cloven feet appeared,

3081
03:41:00.200 --> 03:41:04.840
then legs. Then Keiko crawled out of the fireplace, covered

3082
03:41:04.879 --> 03:41:08.079
in soot. She looked around at the scene in front

3083
03:41:08.079 --> 03:41:11.639
of her, a flicker of sadness in her eyes when

3084
03:41:11.639 --> 03:41:15.319
they fell on the camel they had been together for

3085
03:41:15.399 --> 03:41:20.479
fifty years. She turned her attention to Mark and the

3086
03:41:20.520 --> 03:41:25.799
tool he held in his hand. It took me a

3087
03:41:25.840 --> 03:41:29.239
while to find you, but I have. The game is over.

3088
03:41:29.920 --> 03:41:33.120
I will not be the laughing stock of the Kalakantazari.

3089
03:41:34.079 --> 03:41:37.000
I need my saw so I can get back to work,

3090
03:41:37.719 --> 03:41:41.559
Keiko said, and pulled her wand from her belt. She

3091
03:41:41.760 --> 03:41:46.719
raised it menacingly at Mark and Amy kill it, Bryce said,

3092
03:41:47.000 --> 03:41:51.479
connecting the fire poker with Keiko's temple. She crumpled into

3093
03:41:51.520 --> 03:41:56.600
a pile on the floor. Bryce his grandmother called out.

3094
03:41:57.520 --> 03:42:01.399
Just then, Jennifer came into the room and reached down

3095
03:42:01.559 --> 03:42:04.959
and grabbed the wand. She gave a quick look around

3096
03:42:05.440 --> 03:42:08.440
like she wanted to say something to her family, but

3097
03:42:08.559 --> 03:42:12.719
she raced out the door instead. The hydrant followed her,

3098
03:42:13.239 --> 03:42:18.920
as sension animated hydrants tend to do. Mom Bryce asked

3099
03:42:19.319 --> 03:42:25.319
confused by her actions, where are you going? Ow my head?

3100
03:42:25.959 --> 03:42:29.680
Came Kiko's voice from the floor. Mark quickly wrapped her

3101
03:42:29.799 --> 03:42:32.680
up in a scarf and tied her to a wet chair.

3102
03:42:33.559 --> 03:42:37.040
Now listen to me, Keiko, Mark said, wagging a finger

3103
03:42:37.079 --> 03:42:40.559
in her face. I'll give you back this saw, but

3104
03:42:40.719 --> 03:42:43.159
you have to promise me you will never come back

3105
03:42:43.159 --> 03:42:47.959
to the surface again. You leave us mortals alone. No deal,

3106
03:42:48.559 --> 03:42:50.680
Give me what is mine, or I'll have my friends

3107
03:42:50.760 --> 03:42:55.319
tear you apart. She looked around for her companions, but

3108
03:42:56.000 --> 03:43:01.399
didn't see any of them. Where are they? They're gone.

3109
03:43:01.520 --> 03:43:05.879
You're all alone. Do we have a deal? Mark asked

3110
03:43:05.920 --> 03:43:10.440
his nemesis. What's to stop me from agreeing then coming

3111
03:43:10.479 --> 03:43:16.479
back anyway? Keiko asked, your word? Mark said, give me

3112
03:43:16.600 --> 03:43:19.280
your word that you will take your saw and leave

3113
03:43:19.319 --> 03:43:25.680
the mortal realm for good? Fine? Fine, Keiko said, in defeat.

3114
03:43:25.879 --> 03:43:30.040
She lowered her head. Mark nodded to Bryce, who untied her.

3115
03:43:31.280 --> 03:43:36.079
Say that you promise, Mark ordered, I promise on my

3116
03:43:36.280 --> 03:43:40.680
wand Keiko patted her pouches and looked up at Mark

3117
03:43:40.719 --> 03:43:44.239
with a sneer. How did you do it? You stole

3118
03:43:44.319 --> 03:43:47.360
my wand faith faith. I will kill you had your

3119
03:43:47.440 --> 03:43:53.200
whole family. Just then, Jennifer entered the door. Everyone frozen place.

3120
03:43:54.079 --> 03:43:57.159
There was someone looming behind her in the shadows of

3121
03:43:57.239 --> 03:44:03.639
the winter night. Bryce asked the figure. He was shocked

3122
03:44:03.680 --> 03:44:07.120
as the living room light illuminated his father's face as

3123
03:44:07.159 --> 03:44:11.440
he stepped inside, a face he thought he would never

3124
03:44:11.520 --> 03:44:15.920
see again. His father pushed past and came to his

3125
03:44:15.959 --> 03:44:19.920
son's side. He gave him a smile and took the

3126
03:44:20.000 --> 03:44:24.239
poker from him with a suddenness that left everyone in shock.

3127
03:44:24.600 --> 03:44:30.360
Brandon pierced the heart of Keiko, ending her life. Everyone

3128
03:44:30.440 --> 03:44:36.239
stood in silence for a moment, looking at the carnage.

3129
03:44:37.120 --> 03:44:41.360
Bryce wrapped his arms around his father and squeezed tight.

3130
03:44:42.559 --> 03:44:46.120
Jennifer pulled the wand from her pocket and threw it

3131
03:44:46.200 --> 03:44:50.000
onto the corpse laying on the floor. Enough of this,

3132
03:44:51.000 --> 03:44:55.600
it's Christmas Eve after all, Mark said, and dragged Keiko's

3133
03:44:55.600 --> 03:44:59.600
body over to the fireplace. Help me get it lit,

3134
03:45:00.120 --> 03:45:06.200
Bryce together, grandfather and grandson got the fire going, and

3135
03:45:06.280 --> 03:45:10.280
when the flames were high enough, they tossed Keiko's body,

3136
03:45:10.799 --> 03:45:16.879
who went up quickly but smelled like burnt hair. Mark

3137
03:45:17.000 --> 03:45:21.079
looked over at his wife Amy, his daughter, Jennifer, and

3138
03:45:21.159 --> 03:45:27.000
her husband Brandon. A smile crossed both their faces as

3139
03:45:27.000 --> 03:45:32.399
they were now reunited. Mark had to assume from the

3140
03:45:32.479 --> 03:45:36.559
rod that brought things to life. Still clinging to his

3141
03:45:36.639 --> 03:45:42.440
father was Mark's grandson Bryce, with the biggest smile of all.

3142
03:45:44.200 --> 03:45:48.239
Christmas is a time for family, Mark said, and sat

3143
03:45:48.319 --> 03:45:52.520
in his chair. He barely noticed the fangs on Brandon

3144
03:45:53.360 --> 03:45:58.920
as he dozed off in his beloved recliner. Looking through

3145
03:45:59.000 --> 03:46:03.920
the window in the old blistery night, a lonely hydrant

3146
03:46:04.600 --> 03:46:08.719
made an important decision. It was time to see what

3147
03:46:08.760 --> 03:46:12.120
it could make of itself in this world. He was

3148
03:46:12.200 --> 03:46:18.639
no longer taking orders. It was indeed its own hydrant.

3149
03:46:28.719 --> 03:46:36.200
High Beams on Christmas by Rob Fields raya Autumn was

3150
03:46:36.239 --> 03:46:41.360
attending a Christmas party at Brighton Miron's house. She didn't

3151
03:46:41.440 --> 03:46:44.840
really have much going on after her family opened presence

3152
03:46:44.879 --> 03:46:48.639
that morning. She could have gone to the Strickfield Centennial

3153
03:46:48.639 --> 03:46:52.840
Theater since they were open on Christmas Day, but there

3154
03:46:52.840 --> 03:46:57.280
really wasn't anything she truly wanted to see there. Also,

3155
03:46:57.799 --> 03:47:03.600
she didn't want to be alone. She never liked being alone. Then,

3156
03:47:03.719 --> 03:47:07.360
as if her prayers of curing her loneliness were answered,

3157
03:47:08.040 --> 03:47:12.440
she received the group Facebook message from Brighton Mirn inviting

3158
03:47:12.440 --> 03:47:15.239
anyone in the group who didn't have anything to do

3159
03:47:15.760 --> 03:47:20.600
to an impromptu Christmas party at her house. Raya quickly

3160
03:47:20.719 --> 03:47:25.120
changed for the party and went downstairs to leave. After

3161
03:47:25.159 --> 03:47:27.760
telling her parents she was going to a Christmas party,

3162
03:47:28.479 --> 03:47:31.840
they told her not to be there too long, considering

3163
03:47:31.879 --> 03:47:34.559
the family's big dinner was going to be around seven

3164
03:47:34.639 --> 03:47:38.440
p m. Raya got into her car and drove to

3165
03:47:38.479 --> 03:47:42.040
Brighton's house. She was glad that Brighton was one of

3166
03:47:42.079 --> 03:47:45.600
the select few Mirans who didn't live inside the gated

3167
03:47:45.639 --> 03:47:49.879
community where the majority of the others lived. Brighton lived

3168
03:47:49.920 --> 03:47:53.479
in a beautiful two story house on Pleasant Valley Road.

3169
03:47:54.200 --> 03:47:57.840
At the same time, Raya was feeling a little jittery,

3170
03:47:58.399 --> 03:48:02.399
knowing Brighton's house was only three houses down from the

3171
03:48:02.479 --> 03:48:15.120
Carnivosh estate, which was known to be haunted. Reya made

3172
03:48:15.200 --> 03:48:19.600
it past the old mansion without any issues. She was comfortable,

3173
03:48:19.719 --> 03:48:23.479
knowing it was still daylight. She parked on the street

3174
03:48:23.520 --> 03:48:27.159
in front of Brighton's house and got out. Just as

3175
03:48:27.239 --> 03:48:31.159
she was about to ring the doorbell, the door suddenly

3176
03:48:31.200 --> 03:48:37.959
opened to reveal the always flamboyant Brighton Miron herself. Raya

3177
03:48:38.479 --> 03:48:41.520
I was hoping you would come to my party. Brighton

3178
03:48:41.600 --> 03:48:45.600
reached out, took Raya's hand and pulled her into the house.

3179
03:48:46.680 --> 03:48:50.559
Brighton was always the center of attention. Even today. She

3180
03:48:50.719 --> 03:48:54.040
was wearing a Christmas colored dress that didn't leave a

3181
03:48:54.040 --> 03:48:57.680
lot to the imagination. She even had her hair dyed

3182
03:48:57.719 --> 03:49:01.520
in red and green streaks with Glynn, which she would

3183
03:49:01.639 --> 03:49:05.120
wash out after the party was over. Even both sets

3184
03:49:05.120 --> 03:49:10.079
of nails were polished Christmasy. Raya often wondered why Brighton

3185
03:49:10.520 --> 03:49:13.920
had taken such a liking to her. Raya was a

3186
03:49:13.920 --> 03:49:17.040
girl who got around and had no problem hooking up

3187
03:49:17.079 --> 03:49:20.200
with someone, even though she had been branded the school's

3188
03:49:20.200 --> 03:49:23.120
slut at Strickfield High School, there were a few of

3189
03:49:23.159 --> 03:49:27.600
her fellow students who were pining for her affections. At

3190
03:49:27.600 --> 03:49:30.840
the same time. Raya didn't know whether to be scared

3191
03:49:30.879 --> 03:49:35.959
of Brighton or if she was always so flamboyant. Raya's

3192
03:49:36.000 --> 03:49:40.399
eyes opened wide when Brighton leaned in and pecked her

3193
03:49:40.440 --> 03:49:46.680
on the lips. After the kiss, she pointed up mistletoe.

3194
03:49:46.879 --> 03:49:50.440
Then she gestured to the kitchen and dining room. There's

3195
03:49:50.479 --> 03:49:53.520
plenty to eat and drink here, so help yourself. Mi

3196
03:49:53.680 --> 03:49:58.680
Casa Sukasa Raya took a silent breath of relief. When

3197
03:49:58.680 --> 03:50:03.719
the doorbell rang, Brighton turned away and went to answer.

3198
03:50:04.840 --> 03:50:08.479
Raya wondered why Brighton kissed her the way she did.

3199
03:50:09.399 --> 03:50:13.040
In fact, it wasn't the first time Brighton had kissed her.

3200
03:50:13.959 --> 03:50:17.040
Rayah shook her head slowly and went to see what

3201
03:50:17.200 --> 03:50:21.159
she felt like eating. She knew she couldn't stuff herself

3202
03:50:21.200 --> 03:50:25.079
since her family would have Christmas dinner later. As she

3203
03:50:25.159 --> 03:50:28.520
was making a small plate and admiring the Christmas tree

3204
03:50:28.559 --> 03:50:32.520
and decorations, she loved the attention many of the guys

3205
03:50:32.600 --> 03:50:37.520
were giving her. Raya herself wore form fitting clothes in

3206
03:50:37.600 --> 03:50:42.000
the style of a shoulderless top and pants. On her feet,

3207
03:50:42.200 --> 03:50:45.840
she wore red pumps. As she started to eat, she

3208
03:50:45.959 --> 03:50:50.040
felt someone standing right behind her and wondered if Brighton

3209
03:50:50.120 --> 03:50:54.879
had returned. Raya twirled to see the last person in

3210
03:50:54.920 --> 03:50:59.120
the world she ever wanted to talk to, Mulson. Jagger

3211
03:50:59.159 --> 03:51:01.559
had a bottle of beer in his hand as he

3212
03:51:01.639 --> 03:51:08.399
grinned looking her over. Merry Christmas, Raya. He said, um, yeah,

3213
03:51:09.120 --> 03:51:13.479
same to you, She replied, clearly conveying she did not

3214
03:51:13.799 --> 03:51:16.680
want to talk to him. As she was about to

3215
03:51:16.760 --> 03:51:20.840
walk away, he took hold of her arm. Now, now

3216
03:51:20.920 --> 03:51:23.680
you just wait a minute here. When he was looking

3217
03:51:23.719 --> 03:51:28.680
into Raya's eyes, he demanded, what's your problem? Huh? You

3218
03:51:28.719 --> 03:51:31.799
always act like I'm trying to get you alone. He

3219
03:51:31.879 --> 03:51:35.280
looked down at her cleavage. Not that that wouldn't be

3220
03:51:35.360 --> 03:51:40.600
a bad thing, but you get the idea. Leave me alone, Mulson,

3221
03:51:41.120 --> 03:51:45.639
She snapped. Mulson shook his head slowly. Not until you

3222
03:51:45.760 --> 03:51:51.159
tell me what your problem is, Raya groaned. Fine, it's

3223
03:51:51.200 --> 03:51:53.280
no secret you've always been in and out of trouble

3224
03:51:53.360 --> 03:51:56.319
with the law. In fact, I heard you just got

3225
03:51:56.319 --> 03:52:01.360
out of jail again. Uh huh. Then Moulson pointed right

3226
03:52:01.399 --> 03:52:05.280
at her. That was bullshit. Yeah, the knife was found

3227
03:52:05.280 --> 03:52:07.959
in my hand. I ain't gonna lie about that, But

3228
03:52:08.120 --> 03:52:12.319
I wasn't the one who stabbed Brian Giles anyway. He

3229
03:52:12.440 --> 03:52:14.879
was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The

3230
03:52:14.920 --> 03:52:19.000
police couldn't pin anything on me, so they let me out.

3231
03:52:19.239 --> 03:52:22.440
Rayah pointed at him. You should be in glen View,

3232
03:52:22.520 --> 03:52:26.239
not in the local jail. She lowered her hand. What

3233
03:52:26.360 --> 03:52:29.120
did you do threatened to beat up Brighton if she

3234
03:52:29.159 --> 03:52:32.239
didn't invite you to her party? Or did you just

3235
03:52:32.440 --> 03:52:35.000
crash like you've done to most of the other parties

3236
03:52:35.040 --> 03:52:39.120
I've seen you at Molson sneers, I only crash the

3237
03:52:39.159 --> 03:52:42.719
parties you happened to be at Raya. Then he put

3238
03:52:42.760 --> 03:52:46.840
both his hands on his heart. Face it, Babe, you're

3239
03:52:46.840 --> 03:52:49.479
the one girl here in Strickfield who truly rocks my

3240
03:52:49.600 --> 03:52:54.559
world and my Christmas wish for you to go on

3241
03:52:54.600 --> 03:52:59.440
a date, just one with me, or we could skip

3242
03:52:59.479 --> 03:53:03.639
the date and just go fuck somewhere. Lady's choice now.

3243
03:53:03.760 --> 03:53:06.959
Raya sneered as she put her plate down. Then she

3244
03:53:07.159 --> 03:53:10.840
raised both her middle fingers right in his face, as

3245
03:53:10.879 --> 03:53:14.840
if perfect timing was on her side. Raya turned and

3246
03:53:15.000 --> 03:53:19.319
swiped the incoming Brighton to her and locked their lips.

3247
03:53:19.799 --> 03:53:24.840
Brighton's hands went up in surprise as she moaned. Then

3248
03:53:24.959 --> 03:53:28.760
she went with it and kissed Raya back. After a

3249
03:53:28.799 --> 03:53:33.159
little bit, the two girls came apart. Raya gave Moulson

3250
03:53:33.200 --> 03:53:36.719
a look that dared him to challenge her claim to Brighton.

3251
03:53:38.200 --> 03:53:43.879
Fuck you, Raya, Moulson said, with disgust. When Moulson walked away,

3252
03:53:44.319 --> 03:53:48.120
Raya soon realized maybe kissing Brighton might not have been

3253
03:53:48.319 --> 03:53:54.159
the best idea. Brighton smiled and took Raya's hands. I

3254
03:53:54.239 --> 03:53:57.760
won't force you, babe. For the record, I swing both ways.

3255
03:53:58.319 --> 03:54:02.479
Give me your phone number. Raya couldn't believe she was

3256
03:54:02.520 --> 03:54:06.840
handing Brighton her phone. A few moments later, Brighton handed

3257
03:54:06.840 --> 03:54:10.520
it back to her. You've got my number, now text

3258
03:54:10.520 --> 03:54:14.959
her call anytime, and I do mean any time. It

3259
03:54:15.120 --> 03:54:19.200
was then when another guy appeared. Jack Rosemont gave his

3260
03:54:19.280 --> 03:54:23.559
Dennis Quaid like smile as he looked at Brighton, still

3261
03:54:23.600 --> 03:54:27.159
trying to sleep with everybody at Strickfield High, regardless of sex.

3262
03:54:28.000 --> 03:54:32.319
Neither girl was sure whom he was addressing. Brighton glared

3263
03:54:32.319 --> 03:54:35.959
at him. Last I checked, I didn't invite you to

3264
03:54:36.079 --> 03:54:41.360
my party. Jack looked at Raya. Better be careful. Brighton

3265
03:54:41.440 --> 03:54:45.079
doesn't handle rejection very well. She doesn't live in that

3266
03:54:45.120 --> 03:54:47.680
walled off community with the rest of her family, but

3267
03:54:48.360 --> 03:54:51.040
she's just as rich as the rest of them. They

3268
03:54:51.120 --> 03:54:54.200
live by the credo that they always get what they want.

3269
03:54:54.799 --> 03:54:58.840
If Brighton wants you, Raya, she won't stop until she

3270
03:54:58.920 --> 03:55:03.719
gets you in her bed. When Raya gulped, Brighton clinched

3271
03:55:03.719 --> 03:55:07.559
her fists and growled. Then she raised a hand and

3272
03:55:07.600 --> 03:55:10.959
pointed at him, Fuck you, Jack, I believe you know

3273
03:55:11.040 --> 03:55:13.680
where the door is, use it and get the fuck

3274
03:55:13.680 --> 03:55:18.440
out of my house. When Brighton stormed away, Raya turned

3275
03:55:18.479 --> 03:55:24.879
to Jack, thank you. Then Raya's eyes were wide open

3276
03:55:25.479 --> 03:55:28.799
when Jack eased her into his arms and kissed her.

3277
03:55:29.920 --> 03:55:33.079
Though Raya had dated and been with plenty of guys

3278
03:55:33.120 --> 03:55:37.760
at Strickfield High, she secretly had a huge crush on Jack.

3279
03:55:38.680 --> 03:55:43.600
The kiss was lasting longer and longer. Raya was beginning

3280
03:55:43.639 --> 03:55:45.920
to wonder if they were going to have sex soon,

3281
03:55:46.559 --> 03:55:49.440
because she was getting more and more in the mood.

3282
03:55:50.440 --> 03:55:53.760
It wasn't long before Jack felt being pulled away from her.

3283
03:55:54.760 --> 03:55:59.840
Then Raya cried out when she saw another man punch Jack.

3284
03:56:01.079 --> 03:56:04.719
When Jack was on the floor, Raya quickly went to him.

3285
03:56:05.639 --> 03:56:09.879
Jack checked his jaw and then looked up at his attacker,

3286
03:56:11.000 --> 03:56:14.559
Devon Crenshaw, a known jock who was twice the size

3287
03:56:14.600 --> 03:56:19.520
of Jack, pointed down at him, Fuck you, asshole. Then

3288
03:56:19.639 --> 03:56:22.639
he pointed at Raya. Guess I don't mean that much

3289
03:56:22.680 --> 03:56:26.200
to you. After a few dates, we even fucked. Now

3290
03:56:26.239 --> 03:56:29.319
you're looking for another guy, and don't think I didn't

3291
03:56:29.360 --> 03:56:33.200
see you kissing Brighton. She stood up and shoved Devon,

3292
03:56:33.239 --> 03:56:36.959
who hardly moved. Then she put her finger in his face.

3293
03:56:37.840 --> 03:56:40.559
I told you to leave me alone. Who I date

3294
03:56:40.760 --> 03:56:45.399
and who I fuck are none of your goddamn business.

3295
03:56:45.840 --> 03:56:50.159
Devin sneered, just how many guys do you need, Reraya?

3296
03:56:50.879 --> 03:56:54.559
How many were you fucking while we were dating? Yeah?

3297
03:56:54.879 --> 03:56:58.959
Words sure got around about you fast face it. You

3298
03:56:59.079 --> 03:57:02.520
got a rep being the school slut. Then he looked

3299
03:57:02.520 --> 03:57:06.239
past her to Jack as he was getting up. Better

3300
03:57:06.319 --> 03:57:09.040
watch Raya if you get with her, she don't commit

3301
03:57:09.120 --> 03:57:12.399
to just one person. Hugh might think she's yours, but

3302
03:57:12.559 --> 03:57:18.959
remember she loves sleeping around. Fuck you, Raya yelled, don't

3303
03:57:19.040 --> 03:57:21.399
drag my name through the mud because you couldn't get

3304
03:57:21.440 --> 03:57:26.200
it up snorting nosecandy? Does that you know? Devin shoved her.

3305
03:57:26.760 --> 03:57:30.360
Raya staggered back and was caught by Jack. It wasn't

3306
03:57:30.399 --> 03:57:34.079
long before another guy showed up. Moulson was just as

3307
03:57:34.079 --> 03:57:37.680
big as Devon, except now the latter was looking at

3308
03:57:37.719 --> 03:57:41.520
a switchblade. Better get the hell out of here, Moulson

3309
03:57:41.639 --> 03:57:44.719
told Devin, or you ain't gonna have that little pecker

3310
03:57:44.760 --> 03:57:48.559
to call your own. Just then, Brighton returned and took

3311
03:57:48.600 --> 03:57:52.719
the switchblade from Molson, after retracting it and handing it

3312
03:57:52.799 --> 03:57:56.479
back to him, she smiled. I believe I told you

3313
03:57:56.479 --> 03:57:59.600
you could come to my party if you weren't going

3314
03:57:59.639 --> 03:58:04.520
to start any trouble. Mulsen smiled back. Hey, Hoti, it

3315
03:58:04.600 --> 03:58:08.159
wasn't me this time, it was this jock motherfucker. Here.

3316
03:58:09.040 --> 03:58:13.159
Brighton uttered a romantic sigh. Then she walked right into

3317
03:58:13.200 --> 03:58:17.280
Devon's face. Last I checked, I sure as hell didn't

3318
03:58:17.319 --> 03:58:22.000
invite you either, Devin grinned like the cheshire cat from

3319
03:58:22.000 --> 03:58:25.559
Alice in Wonderland. But you invite a hood and the

3320
03:58:25.559 --> 03:58:29.200
school's slut here. Hell, I even see some geeks here.

3321
03:58:29.680 --> 03:58:32.319
What is this a Christmas party for all the shit

3322
03:58:32.399 --> 03:58:36.719
that walks the halls of Strickfield High. But Brighton didn't

3323
03:58:36.760 --> 03:58:40.639
back down. You can either leave or She put a

3324
03:58:40.680 --> 03:58:43.799
few fingers in her mouth and whistled, even over the

3325
03:58:43.879 --> 03:58:47.959
Christmas music. Two very big dogs came to her side.

3326
03:58:48.719 --> 03:58:52.440
You're familiar with my boys here, right, Last I checked

3327
03:58:52.440 --> 03:58:56.879
Brutus and Bronson here. Ooh, I do believe they're growling, Devon.

3328
03:58:57.159 --> 03:59:00.000
I think it's safe to say they just don't like you.

3329
03:59:00.479 --> 03:59:02.360
All I have to do is point right at you,

3330
03:59:02.920 --> 03:59:06.879
and they'll have you for a special Christmas treat. You

3331
03:59:07.120 --> 03:59:11.840
fucking bitch, he growled, Hey, you jock, asshole, you're in

3332
03:59:12.040 --> 03:59:18.079
my house. Brighton persisted, your move. Devon looked from one

3333
03:59:18.159 --> 03:59:21.719
growling dog to the next. Devon had fought with the

3334
03:59:21.760 --> 03:59:26.159
dogs a few times before and lost each time. He

3335
03:59:26.319 --> 03:59:29.680
wanted to fight them again, but he knew how rough

3336
03:59:29.719 --> 03:59:33.159
the dogs could be. Then there was the fact of

3337
03:59:33.559 --> 03:59:38.799
how sharp their teeth were. Okay, bitch, I'm leaving, Devon replied.

3338
03:59:39.399 --> 03:59:43.200
Then he pointed to Jack, I ain't finished with you, asshole.

3339
03:59:43.799 --> 03:59:48.840
Then to Rea have a good time, slut. Reya had

3340
03:59:48.879 --> 03:59:51.760
an unopened can of beer in her hand and threw

3341
03:59:51.799 --> 03:59:54.959
it at him. Devon caught it, cracked it open, and

3342
03:59:55.040 --> 03:59:58.440
drank it down in one gulp. He was still smiling

3343
03:59:58.479 --> 04:00:01.399
his wicked smile when and he slammed the can down

3344
04:00:01.479 --> 04:00:06.440
on the counter. Ah. After that, he walked to the

3345
04:00:06.520 --> 04:00:11.920
front door and left. Brighton turned to Rea, you okay, baby.

3346
04:00:12.920 --> 04:00:16.280
Raya had her eyes closed and her fists tightened as

3347
04:00:16.319 --> 04:00:19.760
she was taking quick breaths. Clearly Devon had pulled the

3348
04:00:19.840 --> 04:00:23.440
right strings with her to piss her off. Oh you

3349
04:00:23.600 --> 04:00:27.360
poor thing, Brighton purred. As she came in to Raa.

3350
04:00:28.239 --> 04:00:32.559
Jack watched as Brighton kissed her again. Raya soon calmed

3351
04:00:32.639 --> 04:00:35.959
down and held Brighton close. It seemed as if the

3352
04:00:36.000 --> 04:00:39.680
girls would never stop kissing. He wondered if Brighton would

3353
04:00:39.719 --> 04:00:45.159
take Raya to her room. Shortly after the girls finally disengaged.

3354
04:00:46.360 --> 04:00:51.440
Oh wow, you're blushing, Raya, Brighton laughed. Raya bit her

3355
04:00:51.440 --> 04:00:57.000
lower lip and muttered shit. Brighton again turned away to

3356
04:00:57.159 --> 04:01:01.840
check on her other guests. Raya looked at Jack. I'm sorry.

3357
04:01:03.159 --> 04:01:07.159
Why did you do it, Raya? Jack demanded, why did

3358
04:01:07.200 --> 04:01:10.600
you fool around with so many people? Rayah closed her

3359
04:01:10.639 --> 04:01:16.440
eyes insighed I don't know. Finally, she decided she had

3360
04:01:16.479 --> 04:01:20.399
had enough. I'm going home. I really don't need this

3361
04:01:20.479 --> 04:01:24.760
shit today. Jack stopped her. Wait a minute, you're just

3362
04:01:24.840 --> 04:01:28.040
going to run away. He pulled Raya to him and

3363
04:01:28.159 --> 04:01:31.680
held her close. What was that earlier when I kissed you?

3364
04:01:32.719 --> 04:01:36.639
Rayah collected herself and looked at him. You tell me

3365
04:01:37.280 --> 04:01:41.680
you kissed me. Remember you know I've always cared about you,

3366
04:01:42.200 --> 04:01:45.239
He reminded her. I even told you that back when

3367
04:01:45.239 --> 04:01:48.360
we were in Strickfield Junior High. How come you won't

3368
04:01:48.399 --> 04:01:52.159
give me the time of day? Is that what you want? Jack?

3369
04:01:52.680 --> 04:01:56.719
Raya asked, you want to date me? He took her hand.

3370
04:01:58.159 --> 04:02:00.840
I want to do more than dates you, ray I

3371
04:02:00.879 --> 04:02:03.719
want to be with you. They looked at each other

3372
04:02:03.840 --> 04:02:08.200
for a long moment. Then Rayah gently squeezed his hand

3373
04:02:08.600 --> 04:02:12.000
as she took him outside. They went to the little

3374
04:02:12.000 --> 04:02:16.559
cottage out back and went inside. After closing and locking

3375
04:02:16.600 --> 04:02:20.239
the door, Jack backed Raya up against the wall and

3376
04:02:20.399 --> 04:02:27.959
kissed her again. Raya gave in and kissed him back again. Eventually,

3377
04:02:28.319 --> 04:02:31.799
Raya gave in completely when Jack stopped kissing her and

3378
04:02:31.879 --> 04:02:35.159
scooped her up into his arms. Then he took her

3379
04:02:35.159 --> 04:02:39.879
into the bedroom and laid her down on the soft mattress.

3380
04:02:40.479 --> 04:02:43.600
He got on the bed beside her and began kissing

3381
04:02:43.639 --> 04:02:48.239
her again. Soon the two of them began undressing each other.

3382
04:02:49.639 --> 04:02:52.719
As it was getting dark. Raya and Jack came back

3383
04:02:52.760 --> 04:02:55.959
into the house. After the two of them had had sex,

3384
04:02:56.079 --> 04:03:00.159
everything exploded. Jack told Raya that he loved her, but

3385
04:03:00.280 --> 04:03:03.719
she couldn't say it back. In fact, she had told

3386
04:03:03.879 --> 04:03:07.840
Jack that what they had done was just sacks. The

3387
04:03:07.879 --> 04:03:10.719
two of them were still arguing, getting the attention of

3388
04:03:10.760 --> 04:03:14.200
everybody else who was looking to watch the drama unfold.

3389
04:03:15.200 --> 04:03:18.879
Even Brighton was looking at them with great interest. Raya

3390
04:03:19.000 --> 04:03:21.040
looked as though she was ready to pick up the

3391
04:03:21.079 --> 04:03:24.639
punch bowl filled with eggnog and throw the spiked, thick

3392
04:03:24.680 --> 04:03:29.440
liquid all over him. Suddenly someone grabbed Jack and started

3393
04:03:29.520 --> 04:03:32.879
laying into him. Brighton yelled when she saw that Devon

3394
04:03:32.959 --> 04:03:37.559
Crenshaw had returned. You son of a bitch, he roared,

3395
04:03:38.120 --> 04:03:41.799
I know you were with Raya. Jack tried fighting back,

3396
04:03:42.239 --> 04:03:45.600
but he was clearly no match for Devon. It was

3397
04:03:45.639 --> 04:03:48.559
when Devin lifted Jack up and dropped him right onto

3398
04:03:48.600 --> 04:03:52.680
the dining room table, making it collapse that Brighton was

3399
04:03:52.799 --> 04:03:56.920
right there with a big sharp kitchen knife. I mean it,

3400
04:03:57.000 --> 04:04:01.159
you bastard, she yelled, Get the fuck out of my house.

3401
04:04:01.280 --> 04:04:05.600
Or suddenly Devon snatched her wrists to make her drop

3402
04:04:05.600 --> 04:04:10.559
her knife, or what rich bitch. Devon quickly looked for

3403
04:04:10.600 --> 04:04:14.319
the dogs, but he soon found a fist coming his way.

3404
04:04:15.200 --> 04:04:19.000
On impact, he let go of Brighton and staggered back.

3405
04:04:19.719 --> 04:04:23.559
Another punch sent him right to the floor. Mulson Jagger

3406
04:04:23.680 --> 04:04:28.200
was certainly ready for a fight. Get up, Moulson yelled,

3407
04:04:28.639 --> 04:04:30.399
I don't care if I end up back in jail

3408
04:04:30.399 --> 04:04:35.760
tonight or not. Get up. Then Devon heard the familiar whistle.

3409
04:04:36.639 --> 04:04:41.200
Soon the dogs were right there and waiting for Brighton's command.

3410
04:04:42.399 --> 04:04:46.000
When Reya helped Jack up, he pushed her away. You

3411
04:04:46.040 --> 04:04:50.680
know what, just leave me alone. I'm going home, he

3412
04:04:50.799 --> 04:04:54.479
pointed at her. He don't just play with people's hearts

3413
04:04:54.559 --> 04:04:58.079
like that. He really are a cold and motionless bitch.

3414
04:04:58.319 --> 04:05:03.040
You know that, have nice life. At first, Raya wanted

3415
04:05:03.040 --> 04:05:06.440
to run after him, but she found she didn't really

3416
04:05:06.520 --> 04:05:11.200
care and let him leave. Last time, Devn, get your

3417
04:05:11.319 --> 04:05:14.000
mother fucking ass out of my house right now, or

3418
04:05:14.040 --> 04:05:17.120
I will let my dogs have their special Christmas dinner

3419
04:05:17.719 --> 04:05:22.840
with you, Brighton threatened. But one of the dogs wasn't

3420
04:05:22.840 --> 04:05:26.040
going to wait for his master's command and sank his

3421
04:05:26.200 --> 04:05:30.360
teeth into Devon's wrist. Devon cried out and tried shaking

3422
04:05:30.399 --> 04:05:34.520
the dog free. The other animal followed suit and chomped

3423
04:05:34.600 --> 04:05:38.239
down on the other wrist. Devon cursed again and again

3424
04:05:38.479 --> 04:05:42.200
as he tried shaking them off. Eventually, the dogs got

3425
04:05:42.239 --> 04:05:44.639
him to the floor and were on top of him.

3426
04:05:45.280 --> 04:05:48.120
After a while, Brighton gave the order for the dogs

3427
04:05:48.600 --> 04:05:51.840
to leave him. They did so without needing to be

3428
04:05:51.920 --> 04:05:56.600
told twice. Devin slowly got up and pointed at her

3429
04:05:57.440 --> 04:06:01.079
this ain't over. When he saw Brighton was getting ready

3430
04:06:01.079 --> 04:06:04.040
to order the dogs on him again. He raised his

3431
04:06:04.120 --> 04:06:07.559
hands in front of him. Okay, okay, bitch, I'm leaving.

3432
04:06:08.680 --> 04:06:11.600
Devon made his way to the front door again, but

3433
04:06:11.680 --> 04:06:16.360
before he left, he pointed right at Raya. You'll be back,

3434
04:06:16.760 --> 04:06:19.440
you know you will. You know what, don't you dare

3435
04:06:19.559 --> 04:06:23.159
leave this party tonight. I'll be waiting for you. Then

3436
04:06:23.719 --> 04:06:28.520
he pulled the door shut. Brighton and Raya both looked

3437
04:06:28.559 --> 04:06:31.559
out the front window to see Devon walking away from

3438
04:06:31.559 --> 04:06:34.879
the house. It was obvious he was cursing and yelling

3439
04:06:34.920 --> 04:06:40.639
at no one in particular. Eventually he was gone. Raya sighed,

3440
04:06:41.319 --> 04:06:44.319
you know what, I think I'm going to go home too.

3441
04:06:45.040 --> 04:06:47.399
Have caused a lot of trouble here today and on

3442
04:06:47.559 --> 04:06:51.319
Christmas of all days. But Brighton wouldn't hear of it

3443
04:06:51.680 --> 04:06:55.799
and eased her arms around Raya. Honey, no, you don't

3444
04:06:55.840 --> 04:06:58.920
have to leave. In fact, I don't want you to.

3445
04:07:00.079 --> 04:07:03.920
Rayah moaned again when Brighton kissed her. When they're kissing

3446
04:07:04.000 --> 04:07:08.040
became more intense, Raya felt she truly wanted to give

3447
04:07:08.079 --> 04:07:13.479
in to Brighton. However, she forced herself to stop. No, Brighton,

3448
04:07:14.280 --> 04:07:18.000
I'm sorry, but this was all a mistake, Reya said.

3449
04:07:18.479 --> 04:07:22.719
As she started crying. Raya grabbed her jacket and stormed

3450
04:07:22.760 --> 04:07:27.360
out the front door. Brighton appeared at the doorway. Then

3451
04:07:27.719 --> 04:07:31.959
Moulson appeared too. What are you going to do? Keep

3452
04:07:32.040 --> 04:07:34.360
running away when the going gets too rough for you,

3453
04:07:35.079 --> 04:07:40.959
Moulson jeered. Raya turned to him. Fuck you. Moulson stepped

3454
04:07:40.959 --> 04:07:44.719
off the porch steps. Hey, you know I'm ready, baby.

3455
04:07:45.000 --> 04:07:46.959
I'll gladly take you to bed and show you what

3456
04:07:47.000 --> 04:07:50.440
you've been missing out on. Raya growled until she ran

3457
04:07:50.559 --> 04:07:53.920
up to Moulson and punched him in the face. All

3458
04:07:53.920 --> 04:07:56.840
it did was rock him slightly. When he looked back

3459
04:07:56.879 --> 04:08:00.879
at her, Reya gasped and turned to run. She quickly

3460
04:08:00.959 --> 04:08:05.079
moved back to her car. As Moulson started marching towards her,

3461
04:08:05.520 --> 04:08:10.319
he suddenly stopped. Stay here, Raya, he rumbled, I mean it.

3462
04:08:10.399 --> 04:08:13.479
Don't get in your car and leave. Raya raised her

3463
04:08:13.520 --> 04:08:16.879
middle finger. Fuck you, Mulson, Why can't you just leave

3464
04:08:16.920 --> 04:08:19.639
me alone? Why do you have to keep coming after

3465
04:08:19.680 --> 04:08:24.479
me all the time? Just fuck off? Molson tightened his fists.

3466
04:08:25.040 --> 04:08:27.079
Don't get in your car and leave, Raya, You'll be

3467
04:08:27.120 --> 04:08:31.280
making a big mistake. Raya groaned and got in her car,

3468
04:08:31.920 --> 04:08:34.959
she quickly started it. Moulson was at her door and

3469
04:08:35.040 --> 04:08:37.520
trying to pull on the handle. She flipped him off

3470
04:08:37.559 --> 04:08:41.399
again before she quickly shifted gears and sped away. As

3471
04:08:41.399 --> 04:08:46.040
he continued to yell at her, Jesus Christ, Raya groaned,

3472
04:08:46.760 --> 04:08:50.040
what the fuck is wrong with me? Raya knew that

3473
04:08:50.159 --> 04:08:53.879
people always talked about her at Strickfield High. She knew

3474
04:08:53.920 --> 04:08:57.399
people called her the school's slut. Just the same, she

3475
04:08:57.479 --> 04:09:01.399
knew she couldn't stop. She loved being with people too much.

3476
04:09:02.079 --> 04:09:05.239
She refused to be alone, even if it meant having

3477
04:09:05.280 --> 04:09:08.879
to be sexual with them. After she had lost her virginity,

3478
04:09:09.000 --> 04:09:13.040
she knew she always had to be with someone. Oh

3479
04:09:13.079 --> 04:09:17.559
my god, Mulson, leave me alone, she yelled when she

3480
04:09:17.639 --> 04:09:20.920
saw his truck coming up behind her. As Raya was

3481
04:09:20.959 --> 04:09:23.920
about to lift her middle finger to him again, the

3482
04:09:23.959 --> 04:09:27.520
truck suddenly turned on its high beams, flooding her car

3483
04:09:27.559 --> 04:09:32.639
with light. Bastard, Raya screamed. When the brights were off,

3484
04:09:32.719 --> 04:09:35.639
Rayes sped up and eventually turned at a nearby road.

3485
04:09:36.360 --> 04:09:40.319
The truck quickly followed. Raya dug into her purse to

3486
04:09:40.399 --> 04:09:43.399
try and find her phone, but she was too angry

3487
04:09:43.399 --> 04:09:47.280
and flustered to grab it. Suddenly, the truck came alive

3488
04:09:47.559 --> 04:09:51.079
with its high beams again. Once more, her compartment was

3489
04:09:51.120 --> 04:09:56.440
ablaze with light. God damn you, Moulson, Raya screamed, leave

3490
04:09:56.680 --> 04:10:01.440
me alone. The high beams went off again. Not even

3491
04:10:01.479 --> 04:10:05.000
a half minute later, they were back on. Raya screamed

3492
04:10:05.040 --> 04:10:07.719
like a banshee and was so upset that she didn't

3493
04:10:07.799 --> 04:10:11.399
care about driving safely. She tightened her hands around the

3494
04:10:11.440 --> 04:10:14.639
steering wheel and floored the gas. She sped away from

3495
04:10:14.680 --> 04:10:17.319
the truck. The high beams went off, and the truck

3496
04:10:17.399 --> 04:10:22.000
moved and stayed right behind her. Raya sped through Strickfield

3497
04:10:22.040 --> 04:10:26.159
and eventually drove down Indian Hollow Road. No matter where

3498
04:10:26.239 --> 04:10:30.399
Raya drove, Moulson and his big pickup stayed right behind her.

3499
04:10:31.120 --> 04:10:33.959
Every so often, the high beams would keep coming on

3500
04:10:34.200 --> 04:10:37.360
and flooding her car with light. She dug into her

3501
04:10:37.399 --> 04:10:40.639
purse again to try and pull out her smartphone. When

3502
04:10:40.680 --> 04:10:43.040
she finally had it, she hit a bump in the

3503
04:10:43.120 --> 04:10:45.799
road that caused her to drop it on the passenger

3504
04:10:45.879 --> 04:10:50.840
side floor where she could easily reach it. Shit, she shrieked.

3505
04:10:51.399 --> 04:10:54.159
She screamed one more time when her car was filled

3506
04:10:54.200 --> 04:10:58.360
with bright light. Yet again, She turned off Indian Hollow

3507
04:10:58.479 --> 04:11:02.280
Road and made her way toward downtown village. As she

3508
04:11:02.399 --> 04:11:05.719
turned down her road, the truck stayed right behind her.

3509
04:11:06.319 --> 04:11:09.879
The brights came on again, and this time they remained

3510
04:11:09.920 --> 04:11:12.840
on her. She was only a quarter mile from her

3511
04:11:12.840 --> 04:11:18.040
house when she became deeply flustered. When Raya recognized the

3512
04:11:18.079 --> 04:11:21.479
bright Christmas lights on her home, she jammed on the

3513
04:11:21.520 --> 04:11:25.399
brakes and turned into her driveway. She pulled right up

3514
04:11:25.399 --> 04:11:29.200
to the garage and stopped fast. Molson pulled in right

3515
04:11:29.239 --> 04:11:33.000
behind her. Raya got out of her car and pointed

3516
04:11:33.040 --> 04:11:37.000
at him, Get out of here, you bastard. Suddenly, the

3517
04:11:37.040 --> 04:11:40.559
front porch light came on. The door soon opened to

3518
04:11:40.600 --> 04:11:44.440
reveal Raya's father. What the hell is going on out here?

3519
04:11:45.319 --> 04:11:49.719
Raya turned to her dad call the police, she screamed.

3520
04:11:50.360 --> 04:11:52.920
As soon as both Raya and her father saw Molson

3521
04:11:53.479 --> 04:11:56.520
with a gun in his hand. Her father quickly went

3522
04:11:56.559 --> 04:12:00.000
inside to dial nine one one. Raya could have even

3523
04:12:00.360 --> 04:12:03.840
gone inside herself, but she was much too angry to

3524
04:12:03.959 --> 04:12:08.600
even think straight. So it's come to this, huh, Raya yelled,

3525
04:12:09.120 --> 04:12:13.520
I hate you. Mulson remained where he was pointing the

3526
04:12:13.600 --> 04:12:18.200
gun at no one in particular. Soon, two Strickfield police

3527
04:12:18.239 --> 04:12:23.040
cars came speeding down her road. After screeching to a halt,

3528
04:12:23.600 --> 04:12:27.760
the officers got out of their car. Much to Rea's delight,

3529
04:12:27.920 --> 04:12:31.959
the police started to arrest Moulson. Then she heard him

3530
04:12:32.040 --> 04:12:37.959
say something to the police that completely caught her off guard. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

3531
04:12:38.159 --> 04:12:41.000
You don't want to arrest me this time? He pointed

3532
04:12:41.000 --> 04:12:45.079
to Reya's car, you want him. Two of the officers

3533
04:12:45.120 --> 04:12:48.399
went to her car. They had their guns drawn as

3534
04:12:48.440 --> 04:12:52.000
one of them opened the driver's side door. Then he

3535
04:12:52.120 --> 04:12:56.520
pointed his gun and back freeze right there. Raya was

3536
04:12:56.600 --> 04:13:00.799
horrified when she saw the police pulling Jack Roseman out

3537
04:13:00.840 --> 04:13:05.719
of the back seat. They also found a long, sharp

3538
04:13:05.840 --> 04:13:09.479
kitchen knife back there with him, probably from the incident

3539
04:13:09.520 --> 04:13:13.799
at Brighton's house earlier. Jack turned and pointed right at Raya.

3540
04:13:14.559 --> 04:13:17.520
Then he said, in front of her parents, I was

3541
04:13:17.559 --> 04:13:20.040
going to make sure you never fucked around on anybody

3542
04:13:20.040 --> 04:13:23.479
ever again. You just don't break people's hearts like that.

3543
04:13:24.680 --> 04:13:29.479
I guess you'll always be the school slut. Raya started crying,

3544
04:13:30.239 --> 04:13:34.159
especially when her parents were finally learning the truth about her.

3545
04:13:35.319 --> 04:13:39.799
The police took Jack away when they got statements from

3546
04:13:39.879 --> 04:13:44.159
both Raya and Molson. That was when she heard his explanation.

3547
04:13:45.200 --> 04:13:49.239
Molson wanted to confront Raya at Brighton Miron's house. That

3548
04:13:49.440 --> 04:13:52.200
was when he saw that Jack was already in the

3549
04:13:52.200 --> 04:13:56.440
back seat. He tried to warn her, but she wouldn't

3550
04:13:56.479 --> 04:14:01.879
listen when Raya fled and quickly jumped into his truck

3551
04:14:02.239 --> 04:14:06.280
and pursued her. Every time Moulson would see Jack come

3552
04:14:06.360 --> 04:14:09.639
up out of the back seat to try and overpower Raya,

3553
04:14:10.520 --> 04:14:13.520
he would turn on his high beams. Fearing that he

3554
04:14:13.559 --> 04:14:18.239
would be seen. Jack would quickly crouch back down. Every

3555
04:14:18.280 --> 04:14:23.319
time thereafter, when Jack would try overpowering Raya again, Moulson

3556
04:14:23.360 --> 04:14:26.879
would turn on his high beams. Eventually, Raya would lead

3557
04:14:26.959 --> 04:14:29.879
him back to her house, where she felt she would

3558
04:14:29.879 --> 04:14:34.760
be safe. When the police checked Moulson's gun, they found

3559
04:14:34.799 --> 04:14:38.879
it wasn't loaded. Since Moulson had Savedraya's life, there would

3560
04:14:38.879 --> 04:14:42.600
be no charges filed against him. Moulson would not be

3561
04:14:42.719 --> 04:14:48.680
arrested or returned to jail. Raya became emotional and threw

3562
04:14:48.719 --> 04:14:53.360
herself into Maulson's arms. She expected him to just throw

3563
04:14:53.399 --> 04:14:58.959
her aside, but he didn't. He held her gently until

3564
04:14:59.000 --> 04:15:12.079
she was ready to pull away. A Sinister Santa Spectacle

3565
04:15:13.000 --> 04:15:17.799
by Keith Tomlin. The lights from the huge Christmas tree

3566
04:15:17.879 --> 04:15:20.680
sitting in the middle of the small park next to

3567
04:15:20.760 --> 04:15:24.639
City Hall lit up the street, a mist in the air,

3568
04:15:24.760 --> 04:15:29.559
giving each light a halo. The cold wind blew the

3569
04:15:29.639 --> 04:15:34.600
light layer of snow across the sidewalk and street. Many

3570
04:15:34.760 --> 04:15:37.879
people stood around the tree with their children in hand,

3571
04:15:38.600 --> 04:15:43.559
enjoying the holiday display. From deep within the branches of

3572
04:15:43.559 --> 04:15:48.799
the Christmas tree appeared a man like silhouette that solidified

3573
04:15:49.120 --> 04:15:51.799
as it got closer to the outside of the tree.

3574
04:15:52.399 --> 04:15:56.840
A tall, impossibly thin man stepped out from the branches

3575
04:15:57.319 --> 04:16:01.680
and held his hand up high, holding a silver cane

3576
04:16:02.079 --> 04:16:05.479
as if he was a rock star on stage. Acknowledging

3577
04:16:05.600 --> 04:16:10.159
his many adoring fans. He wore a Christmas version of

3578
04:16:10.200 --> 04:16:13.479
a ring master. His two tailed jacket was green with

3579
04:16:13.600 --> 04:16:17.079
tufts of white fur at the cuffs. On his head

3580
04:16:17.360 --> 04:16:21.120
sat a red top hat, which itself was topped with

3581
04:16:21.239 --> 04:16:25.600
a Santa hat. Sitting at an impossible angle, he did

3582
04:16:25.600 --> 04:16:30.280
a forward role, barely missing several spectators who seemed to

3583
04:16:30.319 --> 04:16:33.280
have only eyes for the tree, as they did not

3584
04:16:33.520 --> 04:16:40.559
react to his antics. Hello, children, adults, and those in between.

3585
04:16:41.200 --> 04:16:46.639
I am your humble servant, Jack Scratch. It's been years,

3586
04:16:47.360 --> 04:16:51.280
the speaker spun around, since I've been able to experience

3587
04:16:51.360 --> 04:16:57.079
the joy and agony that is Christmas. I normally only

3588
04:16:57.120 --> 04:17:00.239
make it to the mortal realm on Halloween, but I

3589
04:17:00.399 --> 04:17:04.479
was exceptionally busy this year. After all, with the election

3590
04:17:04.879 --> 04:17:08.200
and all, it's been a banner year for the big

3591
04:17:08.239 --> 04:17:11.600
guy downstairs, and the dark Lord took pity on his

3592
04:17:12.280 --> 04:17:17.680
unworthy minion. He bowed in mock humility and allowed me

3593
04:17:18.000 --> 04:17:26.120
to visit on this most holy of occasions, Christmas. This

3594
04:17:26.479 --> 04:17:30.680
is my second favorite holiday. I find the despair and

3595
04:17:30.799 --> 04:17:36.280
greed irresistible. He gestured like he was playing a violin.

3596
04:17:37.319 --> 04:17:42.000
These are a few of my favorite things, he said

3597
04:17:42.040 --> 04:17:46.040
in a musical voice. It's hard to find that perfect

3598
04:17:46.159 --> 04:17:49.159
gift for someone. You think you know what they want,

3599
04:17:49.239 --> 04:17:53.680
but can you really see deep down inside their souls

3600
04:17:54.079 --> 04:17:58.920
for their true heart's desire. Let's see what happens when

3601
04:17:58.959 --> 04:18:03.959
a perfect family finds the perfect gift. He gestured at

3602
04:18:04.000 --> 04:18:07.719
a family of five walking down the street, a couple

3603
04:18:08.040 --> 04:18:13.399
walking arm in arm, and three adorable children. Maybe it's

3604
04:18:13.440 --> 04:18:16.440
not the most clever title. But I think I'll call

3605
04:18:16.520 --> 04:18:17.280
this one.

3606
04:18:18.360 --> 04:18:28.159
Hm the gift open a gift on Christmas Eve?

3607
04:18:29.120 --> 04:18:32.520
Why would we do that, Mark said, with an air

3608
04:18:32.600 --> 04:18:39.559
of feigned puzzlement. Come on, dad, Sophia whined. She risked

3609
04:18:39.559 --> 04:18:42.159
a quick glance at the presence piled in front of

3610
04:18:42.200 --> 04:18:45.920
the family Christmas tree, before snapping her eyes back to

3611
04:18:46.000 --> 04:18:50.920
her father. She searched his face, her six year old mind,

3612
04:18:51.159 --> 04:18:56.239
trying to comprehend why her father would treat her so cruelly.

3613
04:18:57.440 --> 04:19:00.840
She started to open her mouth to protest the injustice

3614
04:19:00.840 --> 04:19:05.760
of it all, but her older brother beat her to it. Dad,

3615
04:19:06.000 --> 04:19:10.280
You know we do this every year, Ethan said, after

3616
04:19:10.319 --> 04:19:14.040
dinner on Christmas Eve. We always open one gift. He

3617
04:19:14.200 --> 04:19:18.360
pointed at his younger brother and sister. I mean, look

3618
04:19:18.399 --> 04:19:22.799
how excited they are. We can't disappoint the children. Both

3619
04:19:22.840 --> 04:19:27.680
Sophia and Connor, the youngest of the bunch, nodded. Wild eyed.

3620
04:19:28.559 --> 04:19:33.639
Mark tried not to smile. Damn, he thought, they grow

3621
04:19:33.760 --> 04:19:37.959
up so fast. Ethan just turned twelve and he was

3622
04:19:38.040 --> 04:19:41.680
already sounding like a lawyer, just like his old man.

3623
04:19:42.600 --> 04:19:45.440
It's been a tough couple of years, starting a new

3624
04:19:45.520 --> 04:19:48.559
job and moving to a New City. He hasn't been

3625
04:19:48.559 --> 04:19:51.040
able to spend as much time at home as he liked,

3626
04:19:51.680 --> 04:19:54.559
but he wanted to provide for his family and give

3627
04:19:54.600 --> 04:19:58.399
them the best life he could. Mark rubbed the stubble

3628
04:19:58.440 --> 04:20:03.719
on his chin. Well, I don't know. Mark joined his

3629
04:20:03.840 --> 04:20:09.360
sister in whining dead, while a three year old Connor

3630
04:20:09.600 --> 04:20:13.440
just giggled and clapped his hands. What do you think?

3631
04:20:14.000 --> 04:20:18.040
Mark looked over at his wife, Susan. I think you

3632
04:20:18.200 --> 04:20:21.040
better stop teasing them, or we may have a riot

3633
04:20:21.079 --> 04:20:24.840
on our hands, Susan said, as she reached over and

3634
04:20:24.879 --> 04:20:29.360
picked up Connor, plopping him in her lap. Okay, fine,

3635
04:20:29.639 --> 04:20:33.840
I know when I'm beaten, Mark conceded. He moved over

3636
04:20:33.920 --> 04:20:35.840
to the end of the couch and began to look

3637
04:20:35.879 --> 04:20:39.360
through the mound of gifts. He pulled a couple of

3638
04:20:39.399 --> 04:20:41.959
them out and put them on the couch next to him.

3639
04:20:43.079 --> 04:20:48.760
He stopped, looking puzzled and pulled a medium sized box

3640
04:20:48.879 --> 04:20:52.280
out of the pile. He held it up for Susan

3641
04:20:52.399 --> 04:20:57.600
to look at. I don't recognize this wrapping paper. Do

3642
04:20:57.639 --> 04:21:01.799
you know where it came from? Susan leaned forward and

3643
04:21:01.920 --> 04:21:06.600
studied the gift. The wrapping paper depicted a Santa Claus

3644
04:21:07.040 --> 04:21:11.680
with horns and flames surrounding him, sitting in a sled

3645
04:21:11.879 --> 04:21:18.000
being pulled by skeleton reindeer. No, I've never seen that before.

3646
04:21:19.000 --> 04:21:25.399
It's very unsettling, she said, as the chills ran through her.

3647
04:21:26.680 --> 04:21:30.600
Mark looked at every side of the gift. There's not

3648
04:21:30.719 --> 04:21:35.920
a card or anything. He shook it, but couldn't hear anything.

3649
04:21:37.280 --> 04:21:42.319
I'm going to open it, Susan looked apprehensive. Maybe we

3650
04:21:42.360 --> 04:21:45.799
should just put it aside until we figure out who

3651
04:21:45.799 --> 04:21:49.920
it came from. Tearing into the package, Mark did not

3652
04:21:50.200 --> 04:21:53.799
seem to hear her. He tore off the wrapping to

3653
04:21:53.879 --> 04:21:59.399
reveal an ancient looking lacquered wooden box. For some reason,

3654
04:22:00.159 --> 04:22:04.440
the box looked bigger unwrapped. He set the box on

3655
04:22:04.559 --> 04:22:07.760
the coffee table and sat there, staring at it for

3656
04:22:07.799 --> 04:22:12.479
a few minutes. His wife and the kids, even the baby,

3657
04:22:13.040 --> 04:22:18.079
also sat there unmoving. Mark shook his head like he

3658
04:22:18.239 --> 04:22:22.520
was jerking away from a dream. He reached out and

3659
04:22:22.760 --> 04:22:29.520
slowly opened the box. The lid seemed to jump and

3660
04:22:29.719 --> 04:22:35.159
sprung all the way open. A smell of ancient dust

3661
04:22:35.559 --> 04:22:42.000
fire and a trace of something else, something sinister and sickening,

3662
04:22:42.520 --> 04:22:48.159
permeated the air. Mark slowly leaned forward and looked into

3663
04:22:48.159 --> 04:22:54.479
the box. He saw a necklace with a pendant hanging

3664
04:22:54.520 --> 04:22:58.520
from it. The pendant showed a skull in the middle

3665
04:22:58.559 --> 04:23:02.760
of a pentagram. When Mark touched the necklace, it flickered

3666
04:23:03.360 --> 04:23:07.360
and he was now holding a pair of dog tags.

3667
04:23:08.319 --> 04:23:12.440
What Mark whispered as he pulled them from the box

3668
04:23:12.959 --> 04:23:16.879
and held them up. He looked over the dog tags,

3669
04:23:17.159 --> 04:23:25.200
confused until he read the name emblazoned on them. My God,

3670
04:23:25.799 --> 04:23:29.680
Mark thought, as he carefully turned them over in his hands.

3671
04:23:30.600 --> 04:23:34.559
These were his grandfathers. He hadn't seen them since he

3672
04:23:34.639 --> 04:23:39.879
was a kid playing soldier with his cousins. He remembered

3673
04:23:39.920 --> 04:23:45.799
the hours spent listening to his grandfather, his hero, talking

3674
04:23:45.879 --> 04:23:51.040
about World War Two and Korea. His grandfather had an

3675
04:23:51.120 --> 04:23:56.520
endless supply of amusing anecdotes about army life, which he

3676
04:23:56.600 --> 04:24:00.200
loved telling. When he got a few beers in him,

3677
04:24:00.559 --> 04:24:03.719
he would talk about the more violent side of war,

3678
04:24:04.559 --> 04:24:09.879
and those were Mark's favorite stories. Mark had lost the

3679
04:24:09.959 --> 04:24:13.520
dog tags while playing in the woods when he was eleven.

3680
04:24:14.520 --> 04:24:18.520
His grandfather said he wasn't upset, but Mark could see

3681
04:24:18.559 --> 04:24:23.360
the disappointment in his eyes. Losing them was one of

3682
04:24:23.399 --> 04:24:28.879
the biggest regrets in Mark's life, and now he finally

3683
04:24:28.959 --> 04:24:33.799
had them back. Susan's eyes teared up when she saw

3684
04:24:33.840 --> 04:24:38.680
what Mark pulled from the box. The ragged doll hanging

3685
04:24:38.719 --> 04:24:41.879
from Mark's hands looked like it was being held together

3686
04:24:42.000 --> 04:24:46.479
by only a few threads, but to Susan, the doll

3687
04:24:46.680 --> 04:24:51.280
was perfect. The doll had been her mother's and her

3688
04:24:51.280 --> 04:24:55.120
mother's before her. It was passed on to Susan when

3689
04:24:55.159 --> 04:24:59.200
she was just a toddler. Susan grew up an army brat.

3690
04:24:59.479 --> 04:25:02.600
Her father there was an army doctor, and they seemed

3691
04:25:02.600 --> 04:25:05.319
to have to move every year or two. When she

3692
04:25:05.479 --> 04:25:11.040
was growing up, that doll was her constant and sometimes

3693
04:25:11.200 --> 04:25:18.040
only friend. She loved that doll and was devastated when

3694
04:25:18.040 --> 04:25:21.399
it was lost in an apartment fire soon after she

3695
04:25:21.559 --> 04:25:26.520
graduated from college. She slowly began to reach out to

3696
04:25:26.600 --> 04:25:32.680
take the doll. At that moment, Ethan gasped as his

3697
04:25:32.799 --> 04:25:37.479
dad pulled out his old baseball glove. Back in his

3698
04:25:37.559 --> 04:25:40.879
old house, his father used to play catch with him

3699
04:25:40.920 --> 04:25:45.399
every day after school when the weather was nice. On

3700
04:25:45.559 --> 04:25:49.120
days when they couldn't go outside, he remembered sitting in

3701
04:25:49.200 --> 04:25:52.840
the den while his dad went through his massive collection

3702
04:25:53.040 --> 04:25:57.479
of baseball cards, explaining the stats and the history of

3703
04:25:57.520 --> 04:26:02.120
the players. His new job didn't allow him to get

3704
04:26:02.159 --> 04:26:05.760
home before dark, and he kept putting off spending time

3705
04:26:05.799 --> 04:26:11.239
with Ethan, promising to play catch tomorrow, which never seemed

3706
04:26:11.239 --> 04:26:16.360
to come around. His eyes teared up with shame when

3707
04:26:16.399 --> 04:26:19.079
he thought about how he threw the glove away last

3708
04:26:19.159 --> 04:26:24.920
year in a fit of anger and resentment. Ethan had

3709
04:26:24.920 --> 04:26:32.120
regretted that ever since Sophia stared mesmerized at the little

3710
04:26:32.159 --> 04:26:37.799
black puppy in her father's hands. It was beautiful, its

3711
04:26:37.879 --> 04:26:42.120
long ears flopping every time her dad moved his hands,

3712
04:26:42.680 --> 04:26:47.200
Its sad puppy dog eyes staring deep into her soul.

3713
04:26:48.639 --> 04:26:52.280
Every year that she could remember, she always asked for

3714
04:26:52.360 --> 04:26:56.840
a dog for Christmas, but her parents kept telling her no,

3715
04:26:58.000 --> 04:27:04.559
that she wasn't old enough to take care of one.

3716
04:27:05.120 --> 04:27:08.360
Susan reached out for the doll in her husband's grip.

3717
04:27:09.360 --> 04:27:13.200
As her hands touched it, Mark seemed to jerk back

3718
04:27:13.239 --> 04:27:18.280
to reality and pulled his hands away. Those dog tags

3719
04:27:18.280 --> 04:27:22.879
are mine, Susan lunged forward, grabbing again at the doll.

3720
04:27:23.360 --> 04:27:26.479
Stop it. What are you doing? Why would you want this?

3721
04:27:27.159 --> 04:27:31.120
Ethan yelled, Where did you get that? Glove. It's mine.

3722
04:27:31.239 --> 04:27:34.479
Look inside, you'll see my name. He took a swipe

3723
04:27:34.479 --> 04:27:38.680
at the glove in his father's hands, but missed. Using

3724
04:27:38.719 --> 04:27:42.360
his right hand, Mark fended off Susan and Ethan as

3725
04:27:42.360 --> 04:27:45.120
he held the dog tags off to the side With

3726
04:27:45.239 --> 04:27:49.600
his right hand, Mark swung the puppy around, squeezing it

3727
04:27:49.680 --> 04:27:54.159
so hard that it began to whimper. Sophia's little heart

3728
04:27:54.239 --> 04:27:59.760
broke and she snapped. Don't you hurt that dog? She screamed,

3729
04:28:00.280 --> 04:28:03.559
leaping up onto the coffee table and jumping into her

3730
04:28:03.639 --> 04:28:09.000
dad's lap, inadvertently landing on his crotch. Mark screamed in pain.

3731
04:28:09.319 --> 04:28:12.239
As Sophia grabbed the dog and ran out of the

3732
04:28:12.280 --> 04:28:17.399
living room and up the stairs. Mark screamed, you little bitch,

3733
04:28:17.600 --> 04:28:22.559
get back here. Susan yelled, bring mommy her doll. She

3734
04:28:22.719 --> 04:28:26.120
jumped to her feet, causing Connor to be flung forward,

3735
04:28:26.520 --> 04:28:28.920
hitting the side of his head on the edge of

3736
04:28:28.959 --> 04:28:33.200
the coffee table. He hit the ground and began screaming

3737
04:28:33.239 --> 04:28:37.559
in pain. Susan didn't seem to notice as she ran

3738
04:28:37.600 --> 04:28:42.280
off after Sophia. Both Mark and Ethan leapt up and

3739
04:28:42.440 --> 04:28:46.040
ran out of the room, following Susan. Mark stepped on

3740
04:28:46.120 --> 04:28:49.760
Connor's leg as he ran by. No one heard the

3741
04:28:49.920 --> 04:28:54.399
crack of a bone breaking or of a baby crying.

3742
04:28:55.440 --> 04:28:59.120
The two adults and Ethan searched the second floor looking

3743
04:28:59.200 --> 04:29:03.319
for their gift. Ethan entered the laundry room, pausing to

3744
04:29:03.360 --> 04:29:07.840
see if he could hear anything. Hearing only silence. He

3745
04:29:07.920 --> 04:29:11.760
looked under the folding table and behind the door and

3746
04:29:11.840 --> 04:29:15.799
did not see Sophia. He pulled the door of a

3747
04:29:15.840 --> 04:29:21.040
cabinet open, and there she was, cradling his baseball glove

3748
04:29:21.079 --> 04:29:24.799
to her like it was a baby. She screamed and

3749
04:29:24.840 --> 04:29:28.399
began kicking at him, grunting. He grabbed her leg and

3750
04:29:28.520 --> 04:29:31.559
dragged her out onto the floor. Her head hit with

3751
04:29:31.600 --> 04:29:35.879
a loud thump on the floor. As she laid there, dazed,

3752
04:29:36.879 --> 04:29:41.920
screaming with triumph, Ethan grabbed the glove and began to run.

3753
04:29:42.760 --> 04:29:46.879
After only two steps, he stumbled, tripped up by Sophia,

3754
04:29:47.159 --> 04:29:51.479
who latched onto his leg. The glove flew across the room,

3755
04:29:51.959 --> 04:29:56.360
bouncing off of the dryer. Sophia grabbed her puppy and

3756
04:29:56.479 --> 04:30:00.559
began to stand when a toolbox slammed down on the

3757
04:30:00.600 --> 04:30:04.920
back of her head. A panting Ethan growled with frustration

3758
04:30:05.600 --> 04:30:09.600
as he tossed the toolbox aside. The box hit the

3759
04:30:09.639 --> 04:30:14.559
wall and popped open, spilling screwdrivers in a hammer across

3760
04:30:14.600 --> 04:30:18.600
the floor. Grabbing the baseball glove, Ethan ran out of

3761
04:30:18.639 --> 04:30:23.520
the room and into the hallway. Connor's scream subsided, turning

3762
04:30:23.559 --> 04:30:27.280
more into a loud whimper. The young man made it

3763
04:30:27.319 --> 04:30:30.520
to the top of the stairs before a hand grabbed

3764
04:30:30.559 --> 04:30:35.000
the back of his shirt and spun him around. Mark's

3765
04:30:35.079 --> 04:30:38.840
face was filled with hate as he looked at his son.

3766
04:30:43.479 --> 04:30:46.840
When his eyes flickered to the chain and tags in

3767
04:30:46.920 --> 04:30:52.719
Ethan's hand, he screamed in rage. Grabbing Ethan's throat, he

3768
04:30:52.799 --> 04:30:55.520
began to squeeze as he grabbed the tags with his

3769
04:30:55.600 --> 04:30:59.079
other hand. The veins on his throat began to stand

3770
04:30:59.120 --> 04:31:05.159
out as he squeezed even harder, Ethan's eyes bulging. Finally,

3771
04:31:05.920 --> 04:31:10.760
a crack echoed through the hall as Ethan went limp,

3772
04:31:11.319 --> 04:31:15.920
dropping the body. Mark stood there, examining the dog tags

3773
04:31:16.440 --> 04:31:22.760
as the cries from Connor faded into silence. That silence

3774
04:31:22.879 --> 04:31:27.559
was broken by a primal scream clawing on his face.

3775
04:31:28.319 --> 04:31:32.200
Mark grunted as her long fingernails raked across his flesh.

3776
04:31:32.440 --> 04:31:35.840
A loud pop echoed through the hall as she dug

3777
04:31:35.879 --> 04:31:39.959
a finger into his left eye. She snatched at the

3778
04:31:40.000 --> 04:31:44.879
doll as one arm snaked around his neck. With a roar,

3779
04:31:45.280 --> 04:31:49.479
Mark reached behind him and grabbed Susan's head. He leaned

3780
04:31:49.520 --> 04:31:53.040
forward as he pulled and flipped Susan forward and over

3781
04:31:53.120 --> 04:31:58.200
the railing into the air. A sickening splat reverberated through

3782
04:31:58.239 --> 04:32:01.959
the house as Susan and hit the living room floor below.

3783
04:32:03.440 --> 04:32:08.239
Roaring with triumph, Mark turned around and saw his daughter

3784
04:32:08.440 --> 04:32:13.719
standing there. Sophia swayed back and forth, blood pouring from

3785
04:32:13.760 --> 04:32:18.200
the back of her head. Confusion filled Mark's face as

3786
04:32:18.239 --> 04:32:21.200
he tried to reach out to move her aside, but

3787
04:32:21.360 --> 04:32:27.600
instead slumped to his knees. Looking down, he noticed a

3788
04:32:27.639 --> 04:32:32.559
screwdriver sticking out of his chest. He glanced at his

3789
04:32:32.719 --> 04:32:39.399
daughter again in confusion, and fell forward, driving the screwdriver deeper.

3790
04:32:40.559 --> 04:32:43.920
Stumbling forward, shaking her head to try to clear the

3791
04:32:43.959 --> 04:32:49.639
double vision, Sophia gently picked up the puppy and headed downstairs,

3792
04:32:50.479 --> 04:32:54.280
leaving a trail of blood in her wake. She had

3793
04:32:54.319 --> 04:32:57.959
to stop several times on the stairs to wait out

3794
04:32:58.040 --> 04:33:01.920
bouts of dizziness. She finally made it to the bottom

3795
04:33:02.600 --> 04:33:07.479
and walked across the room. She left bloody footprints as

3796
04:33:07.520 --> 04:33:11.400
she stumbled through the puddles of gore that were her mother.

3797
04:33:12.400 --> 04:33:15.759
When she made it to the Christmas tree, she laid down,

3798
04:33:16.560 --> 04:33:22.080
embraced her puppy, and closed her eyes for the last time.

3799
04:33:39.520 --> 04:33:45.159
Burr Jack shook all over his grin, belittling his claim.

3800
04:33:46.119 --> 04:33:50.599
I'm not used to this cold. It's quite toasty where

3801
04:33:50.639 --> 04:33:55.680
I'm from. Ah, the sacrifices I make for my fans,

3802
04:33:56.799 --> 04:34:02.520
he sighed mockingly. He looked around. I do so miss

3803
04:34:02.639 --> 04:34:06.759
the hustle and bustle of kids running around for trick

3804
04:34:06.880 --> 04:34:12.759
or treating unsupervised. Jack stated, But it seems like the

3805
04:34:12.799 --> 04:34:18.080
streets are getting pretty bear here. Not that many people

3806
04:34:18.159 --> 04:34:25.159
out and about, except maybe for carollers, he said, pointing

3807
04:34:25.200 --> 04:34:28.560
at a house where a small group of people stood

3808
04:34:28.599 --> 04:34:35.840
around a front porch singing Christmas carols. Well, I suppose

3809
04:34:36.000 --> 04:34:46.479
we'll just call this one the carrollers. Phil Miller closed

3810
04:34:46.520 --> 04:34:50.159
the wedding album and wiped the tears from his eyes.

3811
04:34:51.200 --> 04:34:55.200
He took another drink of whiskey and looked longingly at

3812
04:34:55.240 --> 04:34:59.680
the picture of a happy older couple standing in front

3813
04:34:59.720 --> 04:35:03.880
of an ancient ruin. Smiling like they had the rest

3814
04:35:03.959 --> 04:35:11.439
of eternity together. God, I miss you, he mumbled. The

3815
04:35:11.520 --> 04:35:15.000
picture was from their trip to Rome, a trip that

3816
04:35:15.080 --> 04:35:18.159
his wife, Margaret, had been asking him to go on

3817
04:35:18.439 --> 04:35:23.680
for decades. He finally had the time and money to

3818
04:35:23.799 --> 04:35:27.720
take the trip after his retirement from his job driving

3819
04:35:27.799 --> 04:35:32.360
long haul tractor trailers. He took another swig of whiskey.

3820
04:35:33.599 --> 04:35:37.439
God damn it, he said as he tossed the wedding

3821
04:35:37.479 --> 04:35:42.360
album onto the coffee table. Although it had been almost

3822
04:35:42.400 --> 04:35:46.279
two years since Margaret died, it still seemed like he

3823
04:35:46.319 --> 04:35:49.880
would hear her voice coming from the kitchen telling him

3824
04:35:50.159 --> 04:35:53.400
it was time to eat. He could almost smell the

3825
04:35:53.520 --> 04:35:57.479
roast cooking in the oven, his favorite meal and one

3826
04:35:57.520 --> 04:36:01.759
that she learned to cook to perfection. A hint of

3827
04:36:01.799 --> 04:36:05.240
a smile crossed his face as he remembered when they

3828
04:36:05.279 --> 04:36:08.799
first wed. He would come home from a twelve hour

3829
04:36:08.880 --> 04:36:13.240
shift sweeping up sawdust at Cooper's Lumber, and she would

3830
04:36:13.240 --> 04:36:17.400
have dinner ready for him, or at least something that

3831
04:36:17.560 --> 04:36:21.560
vaguely resembled dinner. He would say that it looked good

3832
04:36:21.959 --> 04:36:26.759
and eat every last burnt bite, both knowing that it

3833
04:36:26.840 --> 04:36:32.560
was a lie that woman could burn water. It took

3834
04:36:32.599 --> 04:36:37.520
her years, but eventually she became the best cook he knew,

3835
04:36:38.639 --> 04:36:44.560
even including his mother. He poured more whiskey into his glass.

3836
04:36:44.919 --> 04:36:48.799
The drink didn't make the pain hurt less, it just

3837
04:36:48.919 --> 04:36:52.919
made him not care as much. As he lifted the

3838
04:36:53.000 --> 04:36:58.159
glass to his mouth, he suddenly realized he heard singing

3839
04:36:58.639 --> 04:37:03.560
from outside. He wasn't sure if it just started or

3840
04:37:03.599 --> 04:37:06.319
it had been going on a while, and he was

3841
04:37:06.400 --> 04:37:11.000
too lost in his memories to notice, but sure as shit,

3842
04:37:11.720 --> 04:37:16.599
there was Christmas music coming from his front yard. Sitting

3843
04:37:16.639 --> 04:37:20.040
the glass on a side table, he stood and walked

3844
04:37:20.080 --> 04:37:24.520
to the picture window, Pulling the blinds aside. He saw

3845
04:37:24.680 --> 04:37:29.159
seven or eight people standing in a semicircle facing his

3846
04:37:29.240 --> 04:37:37.159
front door. Carrollers. God damn Christmas carrollers. Besides the clerks

3847
04:37:37.200 --> 04:37:40.159
at the liquor store, he hasn't had contact with other

3848
04:37:40.240 --> 04:37:44.799
people since the funeral. Cursing, he made sure his robe

3849
04:37:44.880 --> 04:37:48.680
was tied shut and walked to the front door. As

3850
04:37:48.680 --> 04:37:52.040
he stepped onto his porch, the cold hit him like

3851
04:37:52.080 --> 04:37:57.080
a sledgehammer. Fuck, he thought, this is going to sober

3852
04:37:57.119 --> 04:38:02.520
me up. It was eerie. The carollers ignored his presence,

3853
04:38:03.360 --> 04:38:07.639
continuing to sing little drummer Boy, after which they launched

3854
04:38:07.680 --> 04:38:11.360
into Silent Night. Phil took a good look at them.

3855
04:38:12.520 --> 04:38:18.720
They seemed off somehow. Most were adults, and some of

3856
04:38:18.759 --> 04:38:23.520
those were dressed in old timey outfits. The lone child

3857
04:38:23.680 --> 04:38:28.360
was a girl, maybe twelve or so, dressed in some

3858
04:38:28.520 --> 04:38:33.919
kind of quaker outfit, her long blonde hair tied in braids.

3859
04:38:34.680 --> 04:38:38.279
Phil tried not to shiver and to be polite by

3860
04:38:38.360 --> 04:38:41.840
standing there and acting like he was enjoying the show.

3861
04:38:43.680 --> 04:38:48.880
When they finished Silent Night, they stopped singing and just

3862
04:38:49.799 --> 04:38:57.360
stood there, unmoving, staring at him expectantly. After a minute

3863
04:38:57.360 --> 04:39:03.720
of uncomfortable silence, Phil finally spoke, well, that was great,

3864
04:39:04.319 --> 04:39:10.159
very uh christmasy. A few more seconds of silence passed

3865
04:39:10.759 --> 04:39:15.360
until he spoke again, I'm not sure how to handle this.

3866
04:39:16.200 --> 04:39:18.439
My wife used to be the one to take care

3867
04:39:18.479 --> 04:39:22.080
of this kind of stuff. He looked at the singers

3868
04:39:22.720 --> 04:39:30.439
and none of them moved, each staring unblinking at him. Well,

3869
04:39:30.880 --> 04:39:34.599
let me run inside and grab my wallet. He waited

3870
04:39:34.639 --> 04:39:39.959
for an acknowledgment, and when none came, he stumbled inside

3871
04:39:40.000 --> 04:39:42.799
and retrieved his billfold from a table next to the

3872
04:39:42.799 --> 04:39:46.439
front door. When he returned, he walked toward the edge

3873
04:39:46.479 --> 04:39:50.319
of the porch. Digging through his wallet, he held out

3874
04:39:50.319 --> 04:39:54.639
a twenty dollars bill. Here you go, give it to charity,

3875
04:39:54.799 --> 04:39:59.360
or divide it between yourselves. Have a merry Christmas. He

3876
04:39:59.479 --> 04:40:03.240
stood there for at least ten seconds before the young

3877
04:40:03.319 --> 04:40:07.880
girl rushed forward, ripping the bill out of his hands.

3878
04:40:08.639 --> 04:40:13.080
She turned and ran off into the darkness. As if

3879
04:40:13.119 --> 04:40:17.200
that were a signal. The other singers turned and wordlessly

3880
04:40:17.279 --> 04:40:25.680
walked off after her. Okay, Phil said, Confused, that was weird,

3881
04:40:26.680 --> 04:40:32.119
He shrugged and walked back inside. Shivering from the cold.

3882
04:40:33.200 --> 04:40:36.360
He locked the door and stood over a heating duct,

3883
04:40:37.119 --> 04:40:40.840
the hot air blowing up into his robe. After the

3884
04:40:40.880 --> 04:40:45.400
shivering stopped, he untied his rap and sat back down

3885
04:40:45.479 --> 04:40:50.520
on the couch, pouring himself another drink. Margaret would have

3886
04:40:50.599 --> 04:40:55.799
loved seeing the carrollers. She loved bullshit like that. After

3887
04:40:55.880 --> 04:40:58.880
Beggar's Night, she would talk for a week about the

3888
04:40:58.959 --> 04:41:03.919
kids and their costumes. She was a people person, the

3889
04:41:04.000 --> 04:41:08.240
total opposite of Phil. She volunteered both at the animal

3890
04:41:08.360 --> 04:41:12.959
and homeless shelters. He would often tease her about loving

3891
04:41:13.000 --> 04:41:16.279
any kind of strays she could find, to which she

3892
04:41:16.400 --> 04:41:20.159
would usually respond about him needing to find a hobby,

3893
04:41:21.159 --> 04:41:25.840
he would remind her that he had one. Drinking. At

3894
04:41:25.840 --> 04:41:30.279
the thought of this, Phil held up his whiskey, saluting

3895
04:41:30.720 --> 04:41:34.880
his dead spouse. He looked over at the bottom of

3896
04:41:34.919 --> 04:41:38.919
the stairs leading up to the second story. That's where

3897
04:41:38.919 --> 04:41:44.279
he found her. She died on November first, the night

3898
04:41:44.360 --> 04:41:48.880
after trick retreat. He didn't like thinking about that day.

3899
04:41:49.799 --> 04:41:52.880
Whenever he did think about it, he would drink until

3900
04:41:52.880 --> 04:41:57.639
the memories faded away. True to his word, he raised

3901
04:41:57.639 --> 04:42:00.799
the glass to his lips and took a long pull.

3902
04:42:01.919 --> 04:42:06.759
The cheap, bitter whisky burned his mouth and throat. He

3903
04:42:06.840 --> 04:42:10.119
wished he had the money for better whiskey, but in

3904
04:42:10.159 --> 04:42:13.560
the amounts that he drank this rot cut was all

3905
04:42:13.599 --> 04:42:18.799
he could afford. Phil poured more whiskey. The glass was

3906
04:42:18.840 --> 04:42:27.479
halfway to his mouth when he heard singing again. Those

3907
04:42:27.560 --> 04:42:33.799
damn carrollers were back. He waited a few moments, and then, sighing,

3908
04:42:34.279 --> 04:42:38.759
got up and walked to the front door. Stepping outside,

3909
04:42:39.119 --> 04:42:43.000
he put on a fake smile. The carrollers were singing

3910
04:42:43.040 --> 04:42:47.040
the second verse of Frosty the Snowman. When Phil shut

3911
04:42:47.119 --> 04:42:51.319
the front door, he looked them over and spotted the

3912
04:42:51.360 --> 04:42:56.479
little girl with pigtails yep, he thought, this is the

3913
04:42:56.520 --> 04:43:01.159
same bunch. His eyes flicked over the back grow and

3914
04:43:01.240 --> 04:43:04.279
it seemed like there were quite a few more than before.

3915
04:43:05.479 --> 04:43:09.880
He continued to stand there, faking a smile, wishing yet

3916
04:43:09.919 --> 04:43:13.599
again that Margaret was still alive so she could deal

3917
04:43:13.639 --> 04:43:19.119
with this bullshit. After Frosty, they sang jingle bells, and

3918
04:43:19.200 --> 04:43:22.599
as they did before, when they finished the second song,

3919
04:43:23.400 --> 04:43:30.000
they stood there, every eye staring at him. He pulled

3920
04:43:30.000 --> 04:43:32.880
his wallet out of his robe pocket and removed the

3921
04:43:33.000 --> 04:43:36.959
last of his cash. He showed the empty wallet to

3922
04:43:37.040 --> 04:43:43.319
the crowd. So here's like fifty three dollars. That's all

3923
04:43:43.360 --> 04:43:47.279
I have, so thanks again. It was real nice with

3924
04:43:47.400 --> 04:43:52.520
the singing and everything. He held the money out, and

3925
04:43:52.599 --> 04:43:57.000
as before, the little blonde girl ran forward and ripped

3926
04:43:57.040 --> 04:44:02.279
the money from his hand. They all disappeared into the darkness.

3927
04:44:02.880 --> 04:44:08.279
Phil walked back inside, tossing his now cashless wallet onto

3928
04:44:08.360 --> 04:44:12.360
the table next to the door. He once again warmed

3929
04:44:12.439 --> 04:44:15.680
up on the heating duct. Before moving to the couch,

3930
04:44:16.720 --> 04:44:20.200
Phil drank the rest of his whiskey. He reached over

3931
04:44:20.279 --> 04:44:23.759
and opened a new bottle, noticing that this was the

3932
04:44:23.759 --> 04:44:27.279
one that his son in law Jonathan gave him for

3933
04:44:27.400 --> 04:44:31.959
Christmas last year. He knew it was from Jonathan because

3934
04:44:32.000 --> 04:44:36.599
his daughter April wouldn't have given anything except for a

3935
04:44:36.680 --> 04:44:41.400
cold shoulder. Their relationship had been strained for years, and

3936
04:44:41.439 --> 04:44:43.720
the death of her mother seemed to have pushed her

3937
04:44:43.759 --> 04:44:47.360
over the edge. He shook his head at the memory

3938
04:44:47.720 --> 04:44:52.400
of Margaret's funeral. All of the screaming and accusations from

3939
04:44:52.400 --> 04:44:57.959
his daughter made that dark day even worse. So what if,

3940
04:44:58.000 --> 04:45:00.439
in his younger years he had fallen into the arms

3941
04:45:00.479 --> 04:45:04.159
of other women. That was between him and Margaret. He

3942
04:45:04.279 --> 04:45:07.080
was gone at least four days a week, delivering cargo

3943
04:45:07.200 --> 04:45:10.319
all across the country. He was a man, after all,

3944
04:45:10.720 --> 04:45:14.560
He had urges, and was it his fault that drinking

3945
04:45:14.639 --> 04:45:18.880
made it difficult to resist temptations. He knew that Margaret

3946
04:45:18.959 --> 04:45:23.240
was aware, but she forgave his weaknesses. As long as

3947
04:45:23.240 --> 04:45:27.360
he indulged away from home, April had no right to

3948
04:45:27.439 --> 04:45:31.360
accuse him of cheating, and in front of strangers no less.

3949
04:45:32.000 --> 04:45:35.040
He angrily slammed his glass down on the wooden arm

3950
04:45:35.080 --> 04:45:39.520
of the couch, splashing whiskey on his hand. Once again,

3951
04:45:40.080 --> 04:45:43.759
the hand holding the glass stopped halfway to his mouth

3952
04:45:44.599 --> 04:45:51.400
as he heard singing from outside Are you fucking kidding me?

3953
04:45:52.040 --> 04:45:56.479
He thought? He leaped ungainly from the couch and stumbled

3954
04:45:56.520 --> 04:46:01.159
to the door, his robe hanging open. Bursting through the door,

3955
04:46:01.520 --> 04:46:05.680
he stood ready to berate the singers, but the yard

3956
04:46:06.799 --> 04:46:13.240
was empty. Confused, he stared for a few seconds before

3957
04:46:13.279 --> 04:46:22.919
realizing that the singing was coming from behind him. He

3958
04:46:23.040 --> 04:46:27.200
turned and stepped back inside, slamming the front door shut.

3959
04:46:28.000 --> 04:46:31.720
The carrollers seemed to emerge from the air around him,

3960
04:46:32.360 --> 04:46:37.319
humming some Christmas song or another. The pigtailed girl was

3961
04:46:37.360 --> 04:46:42.840
the only one who was silent. She stepped forward and

3962
04:46:43.040 --> 04:46:51.599
touched his bare chest. Remember, she said, Phil gasped as

3963
04:46:51.639 --> 04:46:55.119
he dropped to his knees, his mind going back to

3964
04:46:55.159 --> 04:47:00.279
the morning of November first, the morning that Margaret died.

3965
04:47:01.240 --> 04:47:05.240
He was in bed, sleeping off another whiskey filled bender.

3966
04:47:05.919 --> 04:47:10.279
When pain invaded the darkness. He clawed his way out

3967
04:47:10.279 --> 04:47:15.360
of unconsciousness and opened his eyes. Margaret was slapping him

3968
04:47:15.400 --> 04:47:19.439
as hard as she could across his face. After a

3969
04:47:19.479 --> 04:47:22.599
few tries, he was finally able to grab her hand

3970
04:47:22.959 --> 04:47:27.680
and stop her. He mumbled, what the hell's going on?

3971
04:47:28.759 --> 04:47:33.319
How dare you? She screamed, spittle flying from her mouth.

3972
04:47:34.119 --> 04:47:36.360
I put up with all the women when you were

3973
04:47:36.360 --> 04:47:40.720
on the road. But this, She held up her left hand,

3974
04:47:41.200 --> 04:47:45.919
where she clenched a stack of polaroids. This is sick

3975
04:47:46.759 --> 04:47:51.240
your own daughter. Phil wiped the sweat from his face,

3976
04:47:51.759 --> 04:47:55.880
his brain racing. I don't know what those are. Where

3977
04:47:55.880 --> 04:47:58.919
did you get those? I was looking for a pair

3978
04:47:58.959 --> 04:48:03.439
of scissors and found these in your desk, You sick bastard.

3979
04:48:04.439 --> 04:48:09.959
She was so young. Tears rolled down Margaret's face. Phil's

3980
04:48:09.959 --> 04:48:16.000
face was ashen. Damn, he thought, I must have left

3981
04:48:16.040 --> 04:48:22.000
that desk drawer unlocked last night. On nights when he overindulged,

3982
04:48:22.080 --> 04:48:26.159
which was often, and Margaret was asleep, he liked to

3983
04:48:26.200 --> 04:48:31.639
spread the pictures out and reminisce about daddy's girl. I

3984
04:48:32.599 --> 04:48:36.000
don't know what those are, he said, pointing to the

3985
04:48:36.040 --> 04:48:43.240
pictures in her hand. I oh, bullshit, Margaret exclaimed, I'm leaving.

3986
04:48:43.799 --> 04:48:47.560
I hope you rotten hell, you bastard. She threw the

3987
04:48:47.599 --> 04:48:53.040
pictures at him, turned and stomped away. Phil jumped out

3988
04:48:53.040 --> 04:48:57.880
of bed. Wait can we talk about this? Margaret ignored

3989
04:48:57.919 --> 04:49:02.599
him and kept moving. Phil followed, trying to convince her

3990
04:49:02.639 --> 04:49:06.880
to stay, saying that it was all a misunderstanding. He

3991
04:49:06.919 --> 04:49:09.000
caught up to her at the top of the stairs.

3992
04:49:09.639 --> 04:49:14.479
He reached out and grabbed her shoulder. She turned, knocking

3993
04:49:14.520 --> 04:49:18.319
his hand away and began to shake her finger in

3994
04:49:18.400 --> 04:49:23.240
his face. Two Flustered for words, she took a step

3995
04:49:23.319 --> 04:49:27.639
back and began to lose her balance. She waved her

3996
04:49:27.759 --> 04:49:32.000
arms as she struggled to keep from falling. Phil reached

3997
04:49:32.040 --> 04:49:36.639
out with the intent of pulling her toward him towards safety,

3998
04:49:37.639 --> 04:49:40.799
but his hand seemed to have a mind of its

3999
04:49:40.840 --> 04:49:47.599
own as he gave her a small, almost gentle push.

4000
04:49:48.159 --> 04:49:52.040
Margaret plunged down the stairs, her head hitting a step

4001
04:49:52.200 --> 04:49:56.639
half way down, and there was a loud crack as

4002
04:49:56.680 --> 04:50:01.319
her skull was twisted sideways. She landed on her stomach,

4003
04:50:02.040 --> 04:50:07.159
her face looking up toward the ceiling. Phil stood there,

4004
04:50:07.360 --> 04:50:13.319
shocked the reality of the situation finally hitting him. He

4005
04:50:13.439 --> 04:50:17.159
cleaned up all the pictures and fed them to the shredder.

4006
04:50:18.080 --> 04:50:20.439
He placed a hamper of clothes at the top of

4007
04:50:20.479 --> 04:50:23.720
the stairs at an angle to make it look like

4008
04:50:23.799 --> 04:50:28.680
she tripped and fell. Once he had the scene set,

4009
04:50:28.799 --> 04:50:32.319
he called the paramedics to let them know that he

4010
04:50:32.360 --> 04:50:38.240
had woken up to find his wife dead. The pigtailed

4011
04:50:38.279 --> 04:50:43.439
girl removed her hand, and Phil pitched forward, curling up

4012
04:50:43.479 --> 04:50:47.680
on the floor whimpering. She patted the top of his

4013
04:50:47.799 --> 04:50:51.799
head like she would apprized pet and helped him to

4014
04:50:51.880 --> 04:51:03.200
his feet. Later that forty six miles away in Middletown,

4015
04:51:03.720 --> 04:51:08.159
Ron Steward, thirty five, was sitting on the couch eating chips,

4016
04:51:08.520 --> 04:51:13.479
drinking diet coke, and watching TV. As he watched, he

4017
04:51:13.520 --> 04:51:16.040
wiped the grease in salt from his hands on the

4018
04:51:16.080 --> 04:51:19.759
couch cushion, something he would never have done if his

4019
04:51:19.919 --> 04:51:24.439
mother was still alive, that is, if he hadn't killed

4020
04:51:24.479 --> 04:51:29.360
her three years ago. He cocked his head as if

4021
04:51:29.400 --> 04:51:34.040
hearing a noise. He muted the TV and heard singing

4022
04:51:34.720 --> 04:51:39.040
coming from his front yard. Putting the bag of chips down,

4023
04:51:39.720 --> 04:51:42.919
he walked to the front porch and saw a group

4024
04:51:42.959 --> 04:51:49.799
of carollers singing White Christmas. Standing in front was a

4025
04:51:49.840 --> 04:51:55.479
little blonde girl with pigtails. Standing next to her was

4026
04:51:55.520 --> 04:52:01.759
an older man wearing a robe. Ron stepped outside to

4027
04:52:01.880 --> 04:52:14.880
greet the carrollers. Ah, it's so nice to see a

4028
04:52:14.959 --> 04:52:19.520
family spending time with each other in these hectic times.

4029
04:52:20.400 --> 04:52:25.119
Almost brings a tear to my eye. With an exaggerated gesture,

4030
04:52:25.639 --> 04:52:29.880
he wipes at his eyes. It's always difficult to find

4031
04:52:30.000 --> 04:52:35.319
that perfect gift, but when you do, it's just so

4032
04:52:35.520 --> 04:52:40.599
much sweeter. Jack checked his watch. Oh my, it's later

4033
04:52:40.680 --> 04:52:44.840
than I thought. I'd better get going, but first I

4034
04:52:44.959 --> 04:52:48.720
need to find the old big red a gift. I

4035
04:52:49.040 --> 04:52:53.159
have the perfect thing. Jack reached the front gate of

4036
04:52:53.200 --> 04:52:57.360
an expensive looking house. Using the cane, He tapped its

4037
04:52:57.479 --> 04:53:01.840
latch and it popped open. Swinging the cane like he

4038
04:53:01.880 --> 04:53:04.840
didn't have a care in the world, Jack walked up

4039
04:53:04.880 --> 04:53:09.040
to the front door and went inside. He headed past

4040
04:53:09.119 --> 04:53:13.599
the stairs to the upper level, effortlessly avoiding the body

4041
04:53:13.639 --> 04:53:18.200
and gore that covered the floor. He approached the Christmas

4042
04:53:18.200 --> 04:53:22.919
tree and leaned down, grabbing a necklace still locked in

4043
04:53:22.959 --> 04:53:27.000
the hands of a little girl. When he pulled the

4044
04:53:27.080 --> 04:53:30.880
necklace up, the congealing blood seemed to try and hold

4045
04:53:30.919 --> 04:53:35.840
the arm down, but let go as more pressure was applied.

4046
04:53:37.080 --> 04:53:40.639
Jack scratch held up the necklace, which appeared to be

4047
04:53:40.680 --> 04:53:47.799
an amulet showing a skull and pentagram. Ah perfect, he said,

4048
04:53:48.159 --> 04:53:52.599
as he pocketed the gift, and with that I must

4049
04:53:52.639 --> 04:53:58.119
bid you a jew. Jack removed his hat and bowed

4050
04:53:58.799 --> 04:54:03.479
the Santa hat, hanging on. Much to do before next Halloween,

4051
04:54:03.959 --> 04:54:07.319
and unlike you, I don't have the time to sit

4052
04:54:07.400 --> 04:54:12.560
around and listen to podcasts. I have much more exciting

4053
04:54:12.639 --> 04:54:17.319
and painful things to listen to. Jack put his hat

4054
04:54:17.479 --> 04:54:21.319
back on his head and strolled out, leaving the house

4055
04:54:21.680 --> 04:54:31.959
as quiet as a tomb. And that's the last ribbon

4056
04:54:32.119 --> 04:54:37.759
cut my spookies, the final Christmas marathon of the year,

4057
04:54:39.119 --> 04:54:42.200
emptied out onto the snow like a sack with a

4058
04:54:42.279 --> 04:54:46.520
hole in it. If you're still breathing, if the lights

4059
04:54:46.560 --> 04:54:51.720
are still on, if nothing is tapping softly at your window,

4060
04:54:52.840 --> 04:54:59.360
well maybe just wait. Because here's the thing about endings.

4061
04:55:00.119 --> 04:55:04.840
The holidays love to pretend they're meat and tidy, a

4062
04:55:04.880 --> 04:55:09.439
little bow on the box, a smile for the photo,

4063
04:55:09.560 --> 04:55:15.560
a clean sign off. But something's been stirring in the

4064
04:55:15.599 --> 04:55:22.959
weekly Spooky feed and later today, yeah, later today, there's

4065
04:55:23.000 --> 04:55:29.479
another gift coming, bigger, heavier, the kind you don't remember

4066
04:55:29.599 --> 04:55:35.599
putting under the tree, and you definitely don't remember ordering.

4067
04:55:36.880 --> 04:55:40.000
I'm not going to tell you what it is. I'd

4068
04:55:40.040 --> 04:55:44.319
hate to ruin the surprise. Just keep an eye on

4069
04:55:44.439 --> 04:55:49.279
the feed, make sure you've clicked that little subscribe button,

4070
04:55:50.200 --> 04:55:55.119
and if you see something drop that feels wrong in

4071
04:55:55.159 --> 04:55:59.319
a festive way, like it slid into place while you

4072
04:55:59.360 --> 04:56:08.319
weren't looking well. Go ahead, open it. Merry Christmas, my spookies,

4073
04:56:09.400 --> 04:56:13.279
and sleep with one ear open.