The Best of Twisty Christmas Tales by Anthologies

Author:Anthologies [Anthologies]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: anthology, children's, fantasy, holiday, SF
Amazon: B00OWXKEAW
Publisher: Phantom Feather Press
Published: 2014-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHRISTMAS MONSTER

William Cook

“All I want for Christmas is a monster,” Peter whispered to Bridie on Christmas Eve. “One that will scare people horribly, especially little sisters like you.”

Bridie rolled her eyes and kept reading her revolting Big Book of Bugs.

Tonight was Christmas Eve, and Peter had been especially good for the past week. He hadn’t even frightened Bridie once. As he brushed his teeth he wondered what kind of monster Santa would leave for him – maybe a huge one with red eyes, and teeth as long as pencils? Maybe a small one with bat wings and long claws? Maybe one with two heads and a snake’s body? He smiled as he began to think of all the different ways he could scare his sister with such a beast.

Christmas Eve was always exciting. Before Peter went to bed, he made sure the huge pillowcase that served as his Christmas stocking was hanging from the end of his bed. He had a big wish-list, and hoped the pillowcase was big enough to hold the monster – and all the other presents Santa would bring.

After falling asleep, Peter’s dreams came to life. Wild, woolly beasts roamed around inside his sleepy brain. Huge purple monsters dribbling green slime and farting smoke wrestled with each other. Giant bats swooped from the sky, and crab-like creatures with snapping claws and spiky bodies lurched after him.

Peter started to feel afraid. The crab creatures called after him: “Peter. Peter. Peter …”

He ran in his dream, but, even though his legs were pumping as fast they could, he couldn’t move. Screaming, Peter tried to run faster as the creatures came closer and closer. One of the crabs reached out with its snapping spiny claws and grabbed Peter around his arm …

Peter woke suddenly, feeling slightly foolish as he realised that he had scared himself with his dreams of monsters. He yawned, then remembered it was Christmas Day. His pillowcase was bulging with presents! Leaping off the bed, he rubbed his hands with glee.

Before long, Peter was surrounded with a pile of crumpled gift-wrap and a stack of new toys, but so far – no monsters! He reached deep into the pillowcase, searching for the remaining presents and felt something. He couldn’t tell what it was, but it sure felt like a monster – cold, hard and spiky. Maybe it was a mini dinosaur? He lifted it out, puzzled. And then it moved.

Peter screamed and leapt across the room.

He peeked through a crack in the door of his closet. His knees felt weak and his hands were shaking as he peered out at his little sister Bridie, who held something large, brown and spiky held in her little hand.

A huge weta!

“What’s all that noise?” called Mum sleepily.

“Nothing,” he called back, embarrassed.

Peter’s mouth hung open, and his eyes were as wide as ping-pong balls! He couldn’t stop staring at the thing in his little sister’s hand.

“’S okay, Peter. ’S just a little insek,” said Bridie, in her cutest five-year-old voice.

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