A Madman's Lullaby & Cheshire Tales by Robby Richardson - HTML preview

THE END

So Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

By

Robby Richardson

Insignificant we seem in the face of the stars in the vastness of numbers Uncountable, unattainable with mysteries inconceivable

Chase the stars that are unachievable and make dreams believable I will…

Take my seat and turn with the tables

Overcome doubt and be Grimm with my fables

Dare you to chase these hopes of mine with this drive of mine Yours couldn’t but mine has nothing but time

To be heard, understood, bring a light to something good

The lantern that inspires something I loved since a child through adulthood To embrace the mistakes I’ve made to the wrong or foolish moves I made Rise from the dirt to claim what is mine on this Earth

I will…

Top the creative stage…a desire since birth

Feel my creative genius like a phoenix erupt across every literary page The blood of the ink from the depths this mind thinks

Will it remind me of the hard times of the roads still left unknown To breathe life into the pen bring the stars down to me

To solve the ultimate debate if my writings are here to stay The ultimate dilemma or will I always be just a contender So, will those train tracks I once trekked take me back

To a time when this load was a burden without an aching back that’s hurting

Still…

Stay true to the pursue,

Forget trouble stay humble

Always attempt in everything you do

And feel no shame if you need to redo

Even perfection is achieved from mistakes learned over time I don’t need to find me to remind me a thing

I don’t need no crown to know I am king

Still…

Don’t throw in the towel in my darkest hour

Still with my fists up and defeat ain’t known until you don’t get up Defeat is a state of mind and not a state of mine

So, you go down your path and I’ll travel mine

Travel so far while I play with the stars

Once so admired…once so desired

A lofty position of a respected storyteller

And if I were to fall short I still find solace in the clouds So, while you all are on cloud nine

I’m on cloud ten…on one more level just above your head

So as long as there’s ink in my pen these words are my bullets And just like these holes I see my crown through it

I’ll die when I want, fly how I want, finish what I start Crumble the competition until my fair recognition

Pull down the whole damn sky just to take my place on high

So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

So, kings may rise has made me realize to idealize in their disguise That a true king’s hungry for recognition

Get true writers out the literary game one way

A literary extradition

So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

Literally claw down those stars that I admire and hold closest to me To get up to where I’m supposed to be

Climb onto the apex and watch the breaking dawn

Their light emblazons my horizon as they all come tumbling down Risen high above them all

No crown…still king

So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

Bring down the sky, bring it down all, and bond with the Skyfall Grow close to the destruction on my path to bring their downfall That terror one feels when only the night falls and the cold wind calls So, the stars might fall when kings rise to the apex that towers over all So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

So, Kings May Rise Stars Must Fall

I always seem to be chasing something

The dreams I manifest are becoming

Not to seek the fame or the fortune

Praise the kings that rise and honor the stars that have fallen To become a king up high you must rip the very stars from the sky Stars that you once idealized until dreams become defined THE END

I HAVE NO GIFTS TO BRING

By

Robby Richardson

[PART #1]

KNOCK… KNOCK… KNOCK…

The bedroom door opened with a soft wooden CREAK. A curious green eye peered through the crack to see his mother Shelly shift on her red bedspread. The cellphone clenched in her hand as she waved her 6-year-old son away. However, Briar always did take after his father. A mischievous and curious personality the door opened cautiously creeping across the carpet. Shelly couldn’t help but smile with a playful roll of her eyes at his innocent defiance to naptime. “Yes mom, I’ll call later when we are about to set out the cookies and milk. No, Martin is on shift tonight. He promised to be here in the morning.” It took almost a minute for her to remember who she was talking to. “Oh, well Nana…your grandson just walked in from his supposed naptime. Maybe you would like to tell him the good news yourself.” Briar bounded into the bedroom dressed in his Bluey pajamas and clutching his plushy bulldog named Hoochie. He hit the bed with a soft THUD and scrambled on top with assistance from his smiling mother.

He took the phone with eagerness, “Nana…Nana, is that you?” Shelly could hear her mother’s voice on the other end acknowledge him with joy. “Hello sweetheart, are you getting excited for Santa tonight?” Briar nodded into the cell phone. “Yeah, I miss you!” Shelly could feel her heart warm as her mother replied, “I know sweetheart. I miss you too! I wish that you didn’t have to live so far away! But you know what?” “What Nana…” “You have a big surprise coming!” Shelly could feel herself do a double take. Her shoulder length brown curls whipped her in the face in her confusion.

Reaching out she took the phone from her son. “Mom, what do you mean you have a surprise?”

Shelly could almost hear her mother’s lips curl into a playful smile. “Oh, you will just have to see, right? That’s the whole point of surprise! Don’t forget to lay out the carrots and celery for the reindeer.” “Mom, don’t change the subject what surprise? You know I don’t like surprises! I HATE

surprises!” “Oh, but this is a good one my little Shelly Belly!” “Mom…”

Shelly’s protests were useless as her mother pressed on as if nothing had disrupted her. “Now, Shelly I have a couple errands to run. Some…last minute Christmas shopping. So, I am afraid I won’t be able to be reached for the next couple hours if you need me.” Shelly’s eyes narrowed in suspicion,

“Well we aren’t going to set out the cookies and milk now!” Her mother seemed to flutter over her own words. “Well, I-yes I know Shelly. Look, I’ll talk to you both later, okay?” “Wait mom when is this surprise supposed to happen?” “Oh, some time today Shelly Belly got to go I love you…”

CLICK… Shelly heard her cell phone disconnect and gazed at her screen reading CALL

ENDED. Grumbling into her phone, she discovered Briar’s excited chubby face beaming up at her.

“Mom, Nana said…” “I know…” she replied trying to keep her smirk from turning into a glower of frustrated annoyance. “Why don’t you go play and let mommy start preparing for Santa tonight?”

Briar gave a cheer with bouncing brown locks heading towards the bedroom door. “Mommy, is Daddy going to be home for Christmas?” She gave a final little smirk to her son’s innocent question. “Daddy is a fire fighter baby, you that. He is working tonight, but he said he will try to make it home tomorrow morning to see you open presents.” “Yeah, daddy’s coming home!”

Shelly bit her lip as she watched her son disappear from the bedroom in a scamper. Deciding not to correct him, she shook her head making her way to the television. She turned it on and soon the room was filled with the voice of the local news anchor from Channel 7. “Today in local news police are still on the manhunt for an escaped patient from the Whispering Pines Sanatorium. Emmitt Pluckett age 27 is believed to have escaped two nights ago and believed to be heading to Chesterfield.”

Shelly’s head raised up and repeated, “Chesterfield, t-that’s only two towns over.” The local anchor continued, “Emmitt Pluckett was convicted of the 2002 massacre of his entire family on Christmas day.

We go to State Police representative Kurt Wagner.”

The local anchor changed to a live press conference with another man dressed in a green police uniform. Wiping his brow with an exasperated expression he spoke into the several microphones thrusted in his withering face. “We are conducting a thorough search of all counties and neighboring

counties of the Chesterfield areas. We have set up roadblocks at all intersections and are certain to have Mr. Pluckett BACK in custody as soon as possible! We want to ask the local communities that any help in apprehension should be reported to our 24-hour hotline that has been established for any tips or information. We remind the communities that Emitt Pluckett is considered extremely dangerous and should not be approached. Please dial local 9-1-1 and…” CLICK… Shelly turned off the television as she stared at the black screen.

Her reflection mirroring her momentarily concerned expression. Her pale complexion could be seen through the glare of the television. She ran her hand over her cheeks and turned with a disgruntled little sigh. She breathed a little easier turning towards the shades and still seeing daylight. The snow glistening outside piled high to clear the path for the walkway. A consistent bickering between Martin and her about piling the snow on the side of the house. A pain stung at her heart longing for that bickering. It meant he was home, she gripped the phone in her hand lost in a moment.

DING DONG… The doorbell rang loudly, catching Shelly’s attention. Briar could be heard jumping for joy in the other room. Curiosity began to fill her as she headed towards the front door.

Rolling her eyes, she wondered if this was the surprise that her mother was referring to. She headed to the front door and poked her head glancing outside. Her mouth dropped open when she saw a large dark figure sitting on their stone porch. Perched in the snow as if sitting on a throne, the few flakes flurried down over the entire area.

The dark figure sat motionless and unable to quell her curiosity she opened the door. Her grumbling grew louder, hating surprises. Her mouth nearly dropped open when she saw her mother’s secret surprise for Briar. “JESUS mom…” but Shelly’s words were silenced when Briar’s jubilant words exploded behind her. “OH, MY GOD look at the size of that teddy bear!” The front door swung open to reveal a dark furred teddy bear the size of pro-wrestler. It’s red ribbon bow tie flickered softly in the wind. “Is that for me?” Shelly patted her son on the head as she shook hers in disbelief. She smirked, “Look at the size of that thing! What are we supposed to do with that thing? WHERE exactly

are we supposed to put that?” Briar walked out the door, his slippers tracing through the snow towards the bear. “I want to put him in my bedroom!”

Shelly couldn’t help but roll her eyes again. “Briar, the bear won’t even FIT in your room!

Hell, how am I supposed to carry that thing in myself?” The little boy laughed with almost giddy excitement, “Yes it will! It will fit, I’ll make it fit!” Shelly couldn’t help but smirk at her son’s determination to bring in the massive teddy bear. “Well, I guess I should try to bring it in first before it gets buried under the snow and gets ruined. We can figure out what to do with it later.” Shelly made her way over to the massive teddy bear and gripped it trying to pick it up. She groaned immediately, becoming overwhelmed by the bear’s weight. She released the bear allowing it to return to its resting place in the snow. The bear appearing light secretly carried a tough interior possible for better quality and increase durability strength. It hunched over head drooping to the right appearing to not have moved an inch.

She began to rub her shoulders as the cold began to bite. The light snow falling in large flakes pattered against her exposed hands. The snow piled into pillowy blankets that would surely provide everyone with a picturesque Christmas. She turned back to the bear and bit her lip knowing she couldn’t leave it out front until Martin came home. Deciding to gather her strength, she grabbed the bear under its arms and dragged it through the snow. Lifting it over the frame, she noticed the weighted interior of the bear rang with sleigh bells. Groaning, she pulled the bear next to the door dropping it with a sigh of relief.

Shelly stood wiping the sweat from her forehead silently cursing her mother. Her mother knew that she hated surprises. This was surely something to keep a secret about. Hoping that she hadn’t ripped it, she examined it over picking up the arm. The soft sleigh bells jingled from within resulting in her growling in utter annoyance. “Could you have picked out a more inconvenient and irritating toy for your grandson and us? Not only does the toy take up HALF Briar’s bedroom, but it’s also got to jingle like that whenever anybody moves it!”

Deciding to deal with her mother’s surprise later, she waved her hands at it “To hell with you!”

Briar ran by her with his Hoochie nearly losing his balance on the wooden floor. “Briar be careful, you know those slippers are slippery on these wooden floors. Now go play in the other room while mommy wraps Christmas presents for daddy.” Briar stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes landed on the mountain of a teddy bear. “Mommy, mommy, mommy, is that…” Shelly walked over to her son as he prepared to jump into it. Shelly caught him before he did, “Wait, Briar dear…” Briar protested letting his little legs and arms flay wanting to jump onto the bear. “That’s Nana’s surprise that she must have sent you. I didn’t know that it was going to be so big. I should have have tried to hide it.” “NO

don’t hide it!” Briar continued to protest as Shelly gave him a playful pat on the butt. “I’m sure Grandma wants to hear your reaction to it or want to know your first thoughts about it.” “Oh, come on mom, that’s not fair! Can, I at least read my books to it?”

Unable to resist her son’s beaming face, “Of course just don’t jump all over him and rough house with it. I don’t want it destroyed or rip the first day it arrives.” Briar cheered as he made his way back to his bedroom to gather up his favorite books from his shelves. Shelly gave her son one final fond gaze before making her way towards the record player. Running her finger over the shelf of Vinyl records, she stopped grabbing the one she had been searching for. Fleeting memories of past Christmas traditions with her family gathering around the tree to wrap presents listening to her father’s Christmas records. Her favorite way to bring the spirit of the holiday to her family’s house. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms was always one of her favorites and an all-time classic.

Briar’s thunderous footsteps scurried past her preparing to dive into the mountain of teddy bear.

Moving the needle to the record, “You’re going to break it before you can even thank grandma for it!”

About to press play and escape into the Christmas spirit when a soft vibrating came from the dining room table. She smiled as she answered, “I was wondering when you were going to call Mister Martin.” Her husband’s voice was soft, and she could tell he was smiling. “Mister Martin, huh…I know I’m in trouble when you bring out the mister.” “You know it buddy,” she replied and then turned

towards the massive bear. “Especially when you come home tomorrow morning and see what my mother has done.” “Oh no, what now?” “You know what I am looking at right now? I am looking at our son reading a story to a massive dark brown teddy bear with these…eyes.” Shelly loses herself for a minute watching the dark eyes reflect back towards her. It’s loppy head jostled from Briar’s movements, “Creepy… black eyes, I can’t even look at it anymore to be honest.” Chortling she heard her husband ask, “How massive…” “OH, seven feet…yep, easily seven feet and as wide as a refrigerator.” “Where are we going to put that…”

Shelly laughed as her hand gave a soft SMACK on the glass table. “That is exactly what I said!

It is also surprisingly heavy for being filled with stuffing. I had to nearly drag the thing in through the front door.” “So, where is it now?” “Oh, your son is sitting in its lap reading a story to it with Hoochie. I don’t know how she thought I would be able to hide it from him until Christmas.” “Maybe she didn’t know it was going to be that big…” “Or that heavy…you know you already got her blessing, right? You don’t have to agree with her or defend her all the time.” She could hear her husband’s playful little splutters on the other line before coming to his rescue. “So, with all seriousness why the late call? You are supposed to be here wrapping presents and listening to Christmas records with us?” “Somebody’s got to work Christmas, right? I drew the holiday shift this year. Besides, we have been on standby until the police catch that, Emmitt Pluckett.” “Did they catch him?”

“Yeah, out by Old Tavern Road. They’re apparently bringing him in now.” “So, it looks like you’ll be making it home then Christmas morning, right? Will you be able to open presents with us like you said?” “I’m not sure still. You never know when an…” “Emergency will happen,” she parroted in unison with him. “Alright, call later?” “You bet…” He replied simply before hanging up.

Smiling into phone she placed it down on the table. Making her way to the wooden hutch, she pressed play on the record player. It whirred for a brief moment as the needle hit the vinyl. The sound of Jingle Bell Rock immediately filled the house. Her eyes rose to a framed photo of her father and her.

His always unshaven face still gave her faded memories of his scratchy hugs against her cheeks. His passing had seemed to harden those simplest of memories to preserve him in her heart.

She laid a kiss on the picture once and began her Christmas wrapping. Briar still sitting on the teddy bear’s motionless tree trunk sized leg. His head resting against its chest reading about the Barney the Bear’s latest problem. Her eyes met with the cold black eyes of the bear’s unblinking gaze. The eerie cold blank stare captivated her sending a chill to wave over her body. She turned from it and began to wrap presents losing herself into memories from long ago.

TINGLE… Gripping the scissors she turned to the bear noticing the faintest of jingles from the bells. Briar was jostling the bear tingling the bells with each movement. TINGLE… TINGLE… “Just pick a spot honey.” She tried to distract her mind, but the boy continued to move unable to get comfortable. TINGLE… TINGLE… TINGLE… The bear’s massive head jerked violently. Its eyes remained on her jerking violently with her son’s movements. “Briar why don’t we stop with the bear for…” “But mom…” Shelly rolled her eyes, “Please Briar go upstairs I need to finish wrapping these presents.”

Briar’s round face gave that heartbroken little look, that quivering lip. That look he could use all too well. However, Shelly was growing too strong for it. “Right now, young man you can play with it later.” “Can I nap with it? I promise I’ll go to sleep.” Shelly groaned catching the bear’s black eyes again, “N-n-n-we’ll see…” Briar groaned and went down the hallway towards his bedroom Hoochie clutched to his chest. He closed the door behind him with a little CLICK. She caught his eye through the crack and saw his thumb enter his mouth. The tell all sign that he was growing tired and would most likely fall asleep to nap this time.

Deciding to seize on this opportunity, Shelly decided to sneak up to the 2nd floor. She had hidden Briar’s presents for Santa and would be able to wrap them during his nap. She walked over and paused the record. It gave off a quieted SCREECH to an immediate halt. She gave one final look

towards her son’s bedroom. The television had turned on and Shelly continued her covert task. She climbed the steps and gathered Briar’s remaining presents.

TINGLE… TINGLE… Ignoring the teddy bear’s internal jingling Shelly was beginning to stack up Briar’s presents on the small coffee table near the railing. TINGLE... TINGLE… The bells from the teddy bear continued as Shelly’s head rose in curiosity. Her eyes traveled over to the railing wondering how the bells inside were jingling. Silence continued to grip the small townhouse, as she waited for the jingling to resume. Holding her breath, the silent seconds ticked on, and Shelly breathed easier gathering up the presents. TINGLE... TINGLE… TINGLE... TINGLE… “Briar, mommy hears you! Go back to your room and take a nap sweetheart!”

Making her way towards the stairs, the small mountain of toys clutched in her hands wobbled.

She glanced over the railings wondering if her son had returned to his room. Shelly peered and saw to her surprise the lap of the gigantic teddy bear empty. She could feel her brow wrinkle in confusion walking the stairs down from memory. The living room and hallway lay just as silent as when she left.

She could hear Briar’s television from behind his closed door. Her eyes darted between the mountain of teddy bear and the sticker covered bedroom door of her son. She placed down Briar’s unwrapped presents on the dining room table. Her eyes never leaving the bear examining it over traveling over every stitch and every section of dark fur. She studied it trying to determine the cause of the bear’s sudden internal jingling.

Her eyes making their way up towards the bear’s black eyes. Catching her reflection in them, they seemed to hold her in place. A loud blare could be heard from the laundry room. The sudden noise nearly toppled her backwards from shock. Startled Shelly gripped her chest feeling her heart immediately take off like a jet. It took a few seconds for her to remember what that sound meant. She chuckled to herself feeling relief beginning to head into the laundry room. Shrugging off the bear’s jingling, she accepted that it must have collapsed internally a bit. She began to remove the clothes

from the dryer feeling a relieved chuckling came over her. She watched as her husband’s clothes filled up the laundry basket.

TINGLE, TINGLE… TINGLE, TINGLE… TINGLE, TINGLE… Shelly’s head shot up immediately her eyes wide with utter terror. Her body gripped the basket as her eyes locked onto the doorway. She could feel her body flinch when she heard the soft TINGLE, TINGLE. She felt her curiosity pulling her through the doorway. However, her growing fear threatened to paralyze her to the spot. Her mouth already prepared to drop open in anticipated shock expecting to see the empty lap of the enormous teddy bear.

Relief washed over her like a bucket of water, Briar had climbed into the bear’s lap. Curling up into the bear’s fur, the jingle of the bells did little to detour him. Shelly smiled, finding her hand gripping her own chest and the laundry basket on the floor. Her hand trying to calm her racing heart leaning against the door. Eventually she regained her composure and made her way towards her son.

Running her hand through his hair she whispered softly, “Briar honey why don’t you go back to your bedroom and sleep.” Briar gave a disgruntled little groan curling deeper into the bear’s dark fur.

Shelly gathered up her sleeping son and helped carry him to his bedroom. The bear gave one final TINGLE, TINGLE!

[PART #2]

BEEP…BEEP… Several hours later Shelly answered her cell phone with a smile. “Well, hello Martin my love. Taking some time out from saving damsels in distress to call and check up on your lowly wife and child.” Martin chuckled on the other end of the line. “No, no, no, they’ve kept us pretty busy inspecting numerous locations for this Emmitt Pluckett. We’ve had to join the Police in their search of the area.” Hand froze on the refrigerator handle. “The escaped prisoner, Emmitt Pluckett? They captured him awhile ago, didn’t they? You told me that they apprehended him.” “No, he was a suspect, but it turned out to be a delivery driver he apparently tried to hijack. So, we were put back on call to provide assistance. I hope that I’ll be able to be there first thing in the morning. So far everything has been quiet, but I don’t want to jinx anything you know?” “You told me that…” “I had gotten some bad intel happens all the time between the jobs. H-haven’t you been watching the news?”

Shelly ran her hand through her son’s hair listening to his father. She tugged at her robe waving a cup of cocoa underneath her. She took it with an acknowledging nod. “Well, no, I have been wrapping presents all day and making cookies for your family tomorrow. Thank God, my mother is staying in Texas this year. In fact, I’m waiting for her to call. I got everything ready for Santa and his reindeer. The only thing I don’t have is the one thing I really want.” He sighed, “that’s the life of a wife of a fire fighter. I don’t even know when we will be back at the station.” “Wait, you’re not at the station?” “No, we’ve been searching some of the abandoned buildings in Deacon.” “That’s next town over! You didn’t think to let me know?” “Shelly there is nothing to worry about. He’s left the area and is far away from here.” Sensing Shelly’s skepticism, Martin continued, “There hasn’t been any activity since last night with the delivery driver. Nothing, no reports, no sightings, in fact they are dismissing us in the morning.” “So, why involve the fire department?” “There were two drivers involved.”

Shelly could feel the breath freeze in her throat. “Included with the security guard and staff member he killed makes 3 in less than 24 hours. Mayor wants everyone searching.” “How did he even

get out?” “I shouldn’t be telling you this. The chief and department want to keep this real hush hush…don’t want to cause a panic on Christmas Eve. He impersonated the Santa Claus, killed the security guard, and walked right out the front door.” “And they have no idea where he is?” She could hear her husband close the truck door behind him, “After the delivery truck this morning no. They are taking inventory of the truck last I heard. I didn’t want to concern you. You have local and state police out looking for him. Nobody’s been hurt or reported any sighting of him. He is dressed in a Santa Claus suit. So, he won’t be able to stay hidden forever.” “It’s Christmas Eve Martin!” “They think he is miles away by now well outside the districts. Oh, I see the Driver Engineer waving to the other guys. I think we are officially dismissed from searching. So, you see nothing to worry about. What are you doing?” She grumbled at her husband’s lame attempt at changing the subject. “I hate it when you do that!” “Do what…” Martin asked as Shelly placed her mug on the island with a THUD!

"Patronize me Martin…” “I am not Shelly! I am returning back to the station now. What is really going on here?”

The refrigerator door opened with a little rattle preparing to pour milk into her empty mug. “I guess I just don’t like the idea of us being here all alone.” “You’re not all alone you got Mrs.

Henderson next door, right?” “Speaking of which, I have not heard from her once today. She must have accepted the fact that Christmas records must be played at high volume during Christmas.” She heard her husband chortle softly on the other side, “I can’t recall a day I haven’t heard her banging on the wall or hear her complaining about those damn birds of hers.” Shelly shook her head, always finding herself falling further and further from desired topics with him. “What do the police say?”

“How should I know Shelly? I only know what the Chief and Lieutenants tell me. We don’t communicate with them like we’re friends. I’ve been listening to the news just like everybody else.”

Shelly walked over to the counter to hand over the Santa Claus cookie tray to him. Briar took it heading to the jar of cookies. Soon, she found herself asking the question she couldn’t keep quiet.

“Where do you think he is?” She could hear the shuffle in his voice and the hesitation in his tone.

“Personally, I think he has hunkered down somewhere just outside the search grid. He’s on foot and wouldn’t make it far in this cold and snow. He’ll move during the night and police will catch him when he emerges somewhere a couple miles from here.” “But Deacon Martin…” “The OTHER side of Deacon heading North.”

Smacking her forehead, “I just feel so foolish! Here I am wrapping present and listening to Christmas records when a literal dangerous mental patient has escaped…” “Stop Shelly you’re thinking too much into it. You mark my words any moment…ANY minute he will be apprehended!

The guys are getting into the truck and we’re heading back. Go and set out Christmas cookies and I will see you in the morning, okay?” Shelly nodded, “Yeah, can you just do me a favor? You hear any news, or anything call me back, agreed?” “Sure…can do if you…” “E-even if it’s late.” There was a pause and then he gave a reassuring, “Okay, let me talk to Briar please.” She lowered the phone towards her son with an encouraging little smile. He took it as Shelly set out the cookies and milk for Santa. Her eyes turned towards the front door as she saw the blanket of snow outside.

She could hear Briar hoping onto the couch preparing to tell a story most likely about his teddy bear. Her eyes prepared to turn when she saw something blow by the window. It caught on the corners of the porch light. She saw what appeared to be a large puffy snowflake. The fluffy ball unhooked with ease and blew to the edge of the porch disappearing behind it. Placing her slippers on, she opened the front door with a CLICK. The night air was crisp as her breath immediately froze in the air.

Bundling her robe around her she gazed to her neighbor and saw to her surprise the front door open. “Mrs. Henderson…” She called out stepping further out into the night and through the snow.

The door waved lightly as if greeting her periodically releasing more furry balls across the area. She grasped one, realizing that they were stuffings of cotton. “Mrs. Henderson…” She called again as the wind blew nipping at her skin. She groaned in protest and said, “I’m closing your door! You can thank me later…you nosey bitch!” Her door closed with a little snap as she made her way back inside. She

kicked her slippers off sending them to slide into the bear’s lap. “Briar, honey are you finished talking to daddy yet?”

Her son was already handing her back the phone, “Okay, we’ll see you in the morning.”

“WHAT no goodbye, what’s wrong?” “I said goodbye…” She replied as Briar made his way to the Christmas tree. “No you didn’t, what’s wrong?” “Nothing, I am just waiting for my mom to call and put Briar to bed. And it’s just…I went outside and found Mrs. Henderson’s front door ajar.” “She was probably waiting for the cat or something?” “Maybe, I just I haven’t heard a peep from her all day including her birds.” “And you’re complaining about that?” She chortled into the phone, “I guess not.

Oh, wait…” Headlights blasted into her front room window, “Mrs. Henderson is home I think?” Her phone vibrating in her hand, “Oh now my mother is calling.” “See all is well, who knows maybe Mrs.

Henderson was out visiting her son for Christmas. See you in the morning.”

She gave her final goodbye and answered the phone. “What happened to you? You told me to call when I am about to serve the cookies.” “I know sweetheart, but you should open your front door.”

Gazing down at her son his innocent eyes sagging from tiredness. “Go grab Hoochie and we’ll get you to bed, or else Santa Claus won’t show up.” Briar walked away as the headlights out front turned off.

“Shelly Belly please open the front door,” curious she crossed the room in three strides and opened the front door. “MOM…” She exclaimed as her mother plopped a medium sized suitcase on her snow-covered doormat. “Merry Christmas,” she said holding up her hands as if presenting a Christmas miracle. Her large tea saucer glasses ran down her nose as she waved Shelly into a hug.

“Mom…” Shelly repeated feeling her mother’s cold embrace. Her mother’s wrinkled face gave a reassuring smile, “My girl, my Shelly Belly…grab my bags, please?” Her mother pushed past her as the driver pulled out of the driveway. She thought for a moment to call out to it before grabbing the suitcase. Her mother was already hugging Briar who couldn’t hide his excited surprise. The front door closed behind her as Shelly’s mouth still hung open in surprise. Her mother fluffed her coat and repeated, “Merry Christmas dear…are you surprised?” “Mom, what are you doing here?” “You could

say Merry Christmas for starters.” Shelly shook her head, “I hate it when you do stuff like this! Briar say goodnight to Nana.” Briar waved his bulldog Hoochie at her before scampering to his bedroom.

Shelly dropping the suitcase by the dining room table followed in toll behind them. Unable to hide her frustration, first the giant teddy bear and now showing up in the middle of the night. “Mommy, are you mad at Nana?”

Briar must have been able to see the stern look in her face. The hurried nature of his usual bedtime routine. “No, mommy is just going to talk with Nana. But you need to get to sleep, or else Santa won’t come.” “And bring me gifts…” Kissing him on the forehead she helped him into his bed,

“Gifts are for good boys and girls.” Her anger always seemed to ebb at the sight of her son’s wide eyes. He clutched Hoochie tighter to him as she closed his bedroom door with a SNAP! “Shelly, I have to say that I am a bit surprised. I thought you would be happier.” Her mother removed her coat and plopped it down on the loveseat. “I don’t like surprises mom. You know this yet you always do stuff like this.” Her mother clapped her hands together, “Oh, it’s just a wonderful Christmas miracle, isn’t it?”

Shelly shook her head, making her way towards the kitchen. “I’m just saying a little more warning could have gone a long way.” “I did warn you and hinted at a surprise and…TA-DA!” Shelly mocking raised her hands in the air still perturbed by her mother’s sudden appearance. “You flew in tonight?” “Not an easy task my dear during the Christmas season…” She pointed her finger at her as if to emphasize the point. Shelly shook her head, “I just thought that you were all done after the teddy bear.” “Teddy bear…” She repeated as Shelly pointed to the mountain of bear next to the front door.

“Yeah mom, the giant teddy bear you had delivered. I mean honestly how did you think I would be able to hide something like that until Christmas?” “What are you talking about Shelly? I didn’t send you the teddy bear.”

Shelly froze as if a wrench had become jammed into the cogs of her mind. “You said a surprise and I thought you meant…” “Shelly the surprise was me visiting.” CLICK, CLICK… Shelly’s mother

crossed the living room to examine the massive teddy bear. “I didn’t send you this. Maybe, it was sent by someone in Martin’s family?” Shelly’s heart began to fall in her chest as she gripped the wall for balance. Making her way towards the front door she heard her mother’s voice, “Shelly, Shelly, what’s wrong?” Approaching the front door, she saw a sight that froze her to the depths of her core. Her choking scream became lost in her throat. The teddy bear moved from its sitting position with an eerie TINGLE, TINGLE! The large bear rose onto its feet patiently waiting for the opportune moment. The bear shed its dark furred skin as if nothing more than a temporary mask.

A man dressed in a bloody Santa suit appeared from the depths within the bear. Hand raised helplessly as she tried to call out and warn her mother. She watched Santa reach forward and remove a large silver butcher’s knife. THWACK, THWACK… He proceeded to repeatedly stab her mother letting her blood spatter his white beard. Her mother’s eyes bulged as blood pooled over the floor. Her mother’s hand reached out as the butcher knife rose high. The shine reflected the moonlight.

Releasing her as her hands clawed down the red suit pulling down on his black belt. She gulped for air as blood ran out her mouth. “M-m-m-mom,” she yelped as the man dressed in a Santa suit flicked his head up towards her. Near cat like in his response, he stared at her trembling in place. Her mother gave one final slump and collapsed at his black booted feet.

A gasp of fright escaped her lungs as Santa hopped out from the remaining part of the teddy bear suit. Dashing to her bedroom, she slammed the door with a… CRASH… behind her. She placed her back against it shuddering in absolute fright. Through watery tears, she tried to forget those horrorstruck eyes of her mothers. She waited for the body of the intruder to slam against the door. Her hand instinctively went to the doorknob preparing for the jostling of metal. The seconds ticked by as silence and an eerie stillness set her skin to grow clammy.

Her eyes widened when she suddenly remembered Briar. Had the intruder instead gone to seek out her son. Throwing caution to the wind she opened the door with the slightest of hands. The door silently opened an inch, allowing her the thinnest of views peered. Her hole body trembled as her eyes

focused to the darkness. A shadow moved feet from her the intruder appeared to be moving around the dining room. She opened the door wider to see a red Santa suit in front of her record player. The intruder was examining the record before dropping it to the ground. The vinyl clattered to the floor breaking with a loud CRACK! Santa’s blood-soaked fingers traced the album covers inspecting them all. His hand rested on a gold one and pulled it down. He examined it over leaving small blood smudges over the front. He pulled out the black record examining it. Shelly opened the door more to gaze at Briar’s bedroom door.

Hoping it still lay undisturbed, she dared to open her door more. The intruder turned towards the record player and placed his selection on it. Shelly prepared to slink against the wall. Hoping the darkness would allow her a good chance at beating him to it. The needle scratched as it landed in place. A familiar song began to play as Shelly took her chance. The door opened wider allowing her to squeeze her lean figure out. Silently Tip-toeing the song began with beautifully calm words reverberating off the walls. “Come they told me… Pa rum pum pum pum…” Her hand outstretched for the door handle. Her breath held tightly in her chest with eyes flicking towards the intruder.

Suddenly, Santa’s head spun with a snap as he focused on her. His black eyes immediately found hers, appearing to have known of her heroic attempt the entire time. The butcher’s knife pulled back with a SWISH! He launched towards her with almost inhuman speed. With a frightened yelp she flung herself at her son’s door. She entered just as the intruder’s body crashed against the door with a WACK! The door bulged under the intruder’s weight. Briar shot up from his bed with a startled,

“Mommy, what’s wrong? What’s happening?” With her back to the door, “Somebody’s in the house!

Briar, I need you to hide under the bed!” Briar could see his mother’s frightened face and hopped off his bed. He crawled underneath as the intruder had discontinued his pitiful attempts.

The Little Drummer Boy continued playing in the background. She reached up and locked the door with a little CLICK! Her body trembled against it as she tried to calm her frightened body down.

She pulled away from the door slowly preparing to rise from the ground. The sound of the butcher’s

knife scrapped across the door in a morbidly mocking gesture. Another sound immediately followed with the dragging of fingernails across the door. Her eyes trembling in utter fright begging for the door to remain closed. She began to rise to her feet as she heard Santa’s whispered voice. His diabolical slow sing song against the door, “I… have… no… gifts… to bring.”

SLAM… SLAM… Shelly began to scream as Santa began to hack at the door. His butcher’s knife penetrating and chiseling the flimsy wood away. He resumed to slam against the door with a loud almighty CRASH, CRASH, CRASH! She yelped frantically glanced over the room. The door would surely not last long with the amount of force against it. Grabbing the nearest object, Shelly hoisted Briar’s small wooden stool from under his bed and smashed it through his bedroom window.

The crash seemed to have enraged something in the murderous Santa. Renewed by the possibility of their escape, the door began to fracture as the hinges prepared to give.

Taking a different course of action, Shelly scrambled under the bed curling up to her trembling son. She was just able to place her hand over Briar’s mouth as the door smashed to the floor. The man collapsed inside breathing heavily as he stabilized himself. The bells on the intruder’s Santa suit jingled and her palm clamped over Briar’s mouth tighter. The man made his way towards the window and climbed through his jingling bells growing fainter. Shelly began to push her son out in a terrified whisper, “Go baby we’ll escape out the front door.” “Mommy…” placing her finger to Briar’s thin lips she shook her head.

They made a quick dash out of Briar’s bedroom preparing to escape out the front door. Shelly saw her mother’s lifeless body lying in a river of dark red blood. She froze as Briar tugged on her arm to regain her attention. She bent over to see if she could find her mother’s phone. “Mommy…” Briar whimpered in a soft whisper. “I think we’re going to be okay Briar.” Trying to keep her eyes from watering she searched her mother’s sweater for her phone. “I think we are mommy.” Hoping to be able to call for help, “W-why would you say that baby?” Shelly asked in a trembling voice feeling her mom’s phone stuck under her. “Santa is here…”

Shelly immediately rose to her feet and pulled Briar in close. Her eyes moved to the living room window. Standing in the front yard stood the mystery man dressed in his bloody Santa Claus outfit. His breath leaving his body in frozen clouds. He observed them like fish in a bowl with his butcher’s knife clasped in his hand. “Briar, go back into your bedroom and climb out the window. I want you to run and hide somewhere until morning, okay?” “Mom, h-he’s just standing there. Why is Santa just standing…” “Do as I say Briar Bently!” Briar immediately retreated back to his bedroom.

Santa had apparently seized on her momentary distraction and had already advanced forward.

Grabbing a large rock, he hoisted it and smashed it through the window with a CRASH! The glass shattered easily as Briar screamed into his room.

Santa climbed through the front window without hesitation. His flailing Santa suit coat getting tangled in the broken glass. Running to her room, she turned and said, “Here motherfucker!” Santa raised his butcher’s knife back wildly in the air immediately advancing towards her. She hoped that Briar would at least find a good hiding spot. The knife plunged into her collar bone with a sickening THUD! It took the air out of her lungs instantly dropping her legs out from under her. She collapsed to the ground struggling to keep her breath steady. Wheezing as Santa withdrew the knife and stood above her. Head tilting as if deep in thought over what to do next. “S-Santa…” Shelly tried to raise her arm, tried to gasp for air, tried to warn her son.

She watched helplessly as Santa began to turn towards him. “Please Santa, I have been good all year…l-leave mommy alone!” Santa’s body turned more towards him. Shelly’s fingers tried to grasp his red suit bottoms. Unable to stop his advancement on her son, she heard him eerily sing, “I have no gifts to bring.” Choking on blood as she spat over herself watching Santa raise the butcher’s knife towards him. She screamed in a gurgle as her fingers flicked until ebbing in a pool of congealing blood.

The next morning, a black pickup truck pulled into the driveway of the dual townhouse. He locked up the truck heading towards the stairs. His eyes glanced over at Mr. and Mrs. Henderson’s

front door swinging back and forth. The waving door periodically released strands of what appeared to be white fur or rolls of fabric. Bending over he gripped it letting it run between his fingers. The stringy whisps of cotton blew away in the frost breeze disappearing into the rays of the rising sun.

Finding nothing wrong, he pulled the door closed with a frozen little SNAP! The cotton fluff caught in the door as he turned back to his door unable to contain a smile on his face.

Preparing to see his wife and son waiting around the Christmas tree for him. He reached into his pocket preparing to remove his keys when a soft clatter caught his attention. Loud flicks of fabric came from his living room window. He saw the white curtains flapping outside like a flag waving to grasp his attention. “Shelly…” He said as the keys jingled in his hand. Panic began to set in as he saw the broken glass sprinkled into the blanket of snow. Martin’s eyes scanned the ground as his keys trembled into the lock. He followed the large footprints in the snow and panic began to overcome him.

“S-Shelly, Briar,” he shouted as the door opened with a rattling BANG against the wall.

He entered the living room seeing the destruction of the house. He nearly slipped on the broken glass as he called out to his family again, “SHELLY, BRIAR!” He scanned the room letting his eyes fall upon a message scrawled across the wall in blood.

I HAVE NO GIFTS TO BRING