Krampus grabbed Barry’s arm and shoved him
hard, “So, tell us where you stashed my cousin and his friends.”
The Head Elf hesitated, “In your basement.”
For a moment the tall dark figure couldn’t
speak, “What? Why!”
“So when they were found you’d get the blame
and I would be able to do the list instead of you because you’d be found incompetent.”
He said, “Why else? I’ve made sure I’ve got the upper hand in this whole thing –
to make sure Santa looks bad, and so do you, Krampus.” He wriggled out of the
demon’s grip and snatched his phone from Mrs. Claus, “That is mine. And as of
now, your services are no longer needed.”
“Oh but they are.” She said, “It’s in the
contract that for there to be a Santa of any type in this world and in this
realm, there must be a Mrs. Claus as well. And so long there’s good in this
world, as wholesome and wonderful as Santa, there must also be his polar
opposite, such as Krampus... this is why he exists.” Smiling, she took a step
towards the elf, “So, you can’t get rid of me.”
“What about me?” the young Halfling asked, “How
did you get rid of me?”
Barry snorted, “Oh you were easy... I just
stopped the delivery of the special candy and food to your place and your more
Human traits began to show. Then, you started acting out after your attempts to
take my job and, well, you were sent this dork!” he threw a thumb at Krampus.
Krampus grabbed his thumb and pulled it hard
backwards towards the floor until the elf screamed, “This dork is losing his
patience and that says something about him. My basement isn’t a pleasant
place... so show us the way.”
It was then the Halfling looked out the
window, “Why are the trees outside glowing a bright blue?”
All three of them turned toward the living
room window where the unkempt front yard stood filled with the light of
thousands of fairy lights, coming to help their Queen – the Blue Fairy – who had
made the ultimate wish.
“That, my girl, is the garrison of Fairies
who are coming to help the one person they know is missing from their lives...
but when they find out who made her go missing, well, he’ll wish he never
screwed with her.” Krampus turned a glaring, red stare at Barry, only to find
he had disappeared from his side.
Santa looked outside, his horns scraping on
the ceiling of the basement, “Your fairy folks are really mad, but not at us.” He
turned from the view, “I’m still wondering who did this to us... and to me.”
Odin gave him a sceptical look, “I’d look
around at your staff, there are thousands of people, but yet, the ones closest
to you are normally the ones who are the most corrupt, Santa.”
He nodded rubbing his beard thoughtfully, “How
true, Odin, I will have to scrutinise my staff better.”
As they all turned, Krampus spotted Barry
running around the back of the kitchen, where the basement was and he raced
after him. The two women weren’t going to be left out of this, and followed the
tall, dark figure in the same direction.
The door of the basement swung open and
Barry stood there looking around, “Oh, Santa, thank goodness I found you! You’re
at Krampus’ house. I’m here to save you!”
“Barry!” he stood, hit his horns on the
ceiling and sat back on the floor again, “Am I happy to see you!”
Odin stood by Santa, narrowing his eyes at
the Head Elf, “One thing, you elf. How did you know this was Santa and not
Krampus – seeing he looks nothing like Santa and you didn’t hear him speak?”
Barry shrugged, “Um, I could see it in his
eyes.”
The other four captives looked at Santa and
saw he had the same red eyes as Krampus, then Odin turned back to Barry, “Nope,
he’s got the exact same features as his cousin.”
As he turned back, he spotted Krampus step up
behind Barry and lay his hand on the elf’s shoulder, “You think you can outrun
me in my own house, elf? Think again.”
