Never Fear by Heather Graham

Author:Heather Graham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: holiday stories, christmas horror, anthology horror, krampus, short stories christmas, twas the night before
Publisher: 13Thirty Books

The Year of Hope

The stockings in the Marsh house were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. Most children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. One child was not nestled; instead he paced back and forth, his young mind awhirl with the fear that indeed, St. Nicholas would soon be here.

“I’m not ready, not enough time,” Ryan ranted in hushed tones. His eyes constantly glanced to the clock. Time was racing; it was almost midnight now. His parents were in their room watching TV. If he did not think of something quick, Santa would come. And if he was awake, he would get nothing. But if he did not figure out a way to teach Santa the error of his ways, he would get something almost as terrible as nothing. He would get bad gifts, used things, worn things, and old things. The cruel joke that Santa played was bringing new clothes, something he knew Ryan despised.

But he knew from last year that trying to trick Santa did not work. He had found the marbles, had even placed the note for Ryan to find, shaming him in front of his parents. Santa had made him look like a fool, but Ryan should have known better. Now he did. He was a year older now, and he was learning. Santa had magic, and magic was something Ryan could not yet figure out how to counter. He paced for a while longer. Each minute that ticked by made his pulse quicken and his brain work desperately faster. Ryan’s frantic pacing halted suddenly, his body rigid as an alien thought leapt into his mind.

If I can’t trick Santa, and I can’t hurt Santa, perhaps I can do something for him? These thoughts were strange, and it took Ryan a few moments to develop them, but soon enough a smile crept onto his face, and he jumped into action. Leaving his room, he tiptoed downstairs. His parents were still up. He could hear their muffled voices mingling with the TV in their room. To his annoyance and worry, the stairs creaked as he crept over them, each creak making him wince. If they were alerted to his movements, he would be in trouble, and they would foil his brilliant plan, his chance to finally have a good Christmas.

The lights from his Christmas tree suffused the room in a plethora of blues, reds, and greens, all festive, joyful colors, but the beauty of this tranquil scene was lost to Ryan. All he cared about was that Santa had not yet come. He had not yet lost his chance. As he moved to the tree, he stopped. In all his excitement from his new idea, he had not yet thought of what he could bribe Santa with. A memory, long since forgotten, entered his mind.

A week or so ago, he had this same strange idea: giving something to Santa to make him happy.

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