Unearthly World Christmas by C. L. Scholey

Author:C. L. Scholey [Scholey, C. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-12-13T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Titus shifted Brave onto a hip and the others began walking. The dead ground beneath his feet was pitiful. There were no different scents or tastes to the air. Some areas appeared damp, the puddles brackish. He wasn’t sure if the Earth was dead or in hiding.

“Earth has changed since we were here last,” Titus said.

“So has Zargonnii life,” Cy said.

“At least the water has receded. For a while it looked like the entire planet would be sodden,” Titus said.

“Should we split up?” Zell asked.

“Hell no,” Titus said.

“Tempest,” Cy began, “you and Zabbie know what Christmas is. What is Dranos searching for? Can we not find it and go?”

“Christmas means different things and yet the same to many,” Tempest said.

“That makes no sense,” Cy grumbled.

“So is Christmas a riddle?” Zell asked.

“A riddle?” Braylon looked like his feathers were ruffled. “Christmas is—it’s Christmas.”

Zell frowned appearing less than pleased. “Then where do we start?”

A piece of paper fluttered in the breeze and Zell caught it. He turned it over and frowned harder. “It’s dull but there’s a pattern. A clue to this riddle?”

Zabbie took it. “It’s wrapping paper. Dranos has touched it. He touched it, connected it somehow to Christmas, but he doesn’t understand why it’s ripped, and so he is heartbroken. He tossed it away and wonders why humans would simply throw a part of a special holiday away. Why give someone something that goes into the garbage?” Zabbie said. “This might be harder than we think. What was custom for us is curious for Dranos.”

“When a Zargonnii has a Holiday we keep a coveted child,” Cy said his tone pondering. “What else of Christmas do you chuck when it’s over?”

Zabbie and Tempest stopped stunned. “I never thought about that aspect,” Zabbie said. “Well, not really. I mean after Christmas, there was a huge garbage pickup. Bags, bows, boxes, food. Returns.”

“You returned gifts?” Brave asked. “Sounds kind of mean.”

“Well no, not mean. If someone already had the gift or wanted something different, or ugly sweaters, secret Santas, or, or…” Zabbie trailed off.

“The list is endless.” Tempest picked up. “I hope Dranos doesn’t get wind of secret Santas or we may have sixty stalkers on our hands. We did try to recycle. After office parties, there was a lot of re-gifting. Those who buy a tree burn it or leave it at the roadside to be taken away. Fake trees are tossed every so often. Bulbs get broken, or worn out, same with Christmas lights. There was always something in our home needing repairs. Things the mice or squirrels got into, chewed, or peed on.”

“So you want to teach our children about throwing away useless things that once mattered a great deal?” Titus asked. “Except of course things that were peed on. Vermin in houses? That’s nasty.”

“No, not at all, about the gifts I mean,” Zabbie said. “Some exchanged gifts. Perhaps too many and for some not enough. Sometimes we would get a gift we didn’t appreciate but knew someone who would love it.

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