The Unknown Elf by Lucas Karlie

Author:Lucas, Karlie [Lucas, Karlie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-11-03T16:00:00+00:00

eleven

CLARENCE SLUMPED OVER the balcony railing, downcast eyes surveying the streets below Santa's office. They were busy, but not any busier than his thoughts. He wished he had a handkerchief to blot the red from his eyes.

Santa watched him from inside the glass doorway. He hadn't seen his elf look this down in a long time. "Clarence," he went out onto the balcony, "what's wrong?"

Clarence turned to look at him, arms resting heavily on the railing. His eyes hid tears that were ready to fall. "I don't know," he shook his head. "I don't know what happened. I heard her scream. She was just lying there on the bench, and then she sat up and screamed. I felt as if she must have just experienced something terrible. Something in her eyes just… I don't know."

He turned his back to the railing and leaned against it, shutting out the sight of the city below. "I wanted to do something to comfort her, but I didn't know what to do. I found myself rocking her like my father used to when I was frightened at night. The next thing I knew, she was running away from me." His face showed a distress and helplessness that broke Santa's heart. "And I don't understand why."

"Do you know what happened? Did you try to talk to her?" Santa looked at him with concern. He knew full well that his Head of Operations wouldn't have thought to go after her, not in his confused state. "Is there anything I can do?"

Clarence shook his head. "It must have been a dream; a dream that could wake you up at night, screaming for dear life." He shuddered, images from his own nightmares reflected behind his eyelids. "No, I couldn't talk to her. I was so confused. I don't even know what I'm going to do about it. She scares me, Santa. She scares me to death. There's something about her that just sticks to you that you can't wash it off, no matter how hard you try. And I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing."

Santa gave him an odd look. "Clarence, there is something we haven't exactly discussed."

The elf looked up in surprise. He wondered if, somehow, this wizened man had seen something about his relationship with Marie that he hadn't. Or, perhaps, something that had upset him. It wouldn't have been the first time something had done so, but he was unprepared for Santa's next comment.

"Have you ever noticed how much Marie usually keeps to herself? It's almost as if she's afraid of contaminating everyone, as if she were afraid of everyone else. She only acts naturally around Dena. I'm not the only one who's noticed it either. It concerns me, even though she has made some friends."

"I…" Clarence hesitated. "I guess I have noticed, but didn't let myself think about it. I've been trying to avoid her." He sighed in relief for finally let it out. "I feel odd when I'm around her.

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