A Christmas Fable

Merry Christmas to everyone! Happy holidays too!!

We have been busy traveling during the last two weeks, you know, for Christmas and everything. I hope you didn't miss Quote of the Week too much. I'll make it up I promise. For now, here's a little Christmas story for you. Enjoy and I will see you in the New Year!

The blue orbs hung delicately in the air kissing the dank ceiling of the cave. If we can’t have Christmas at our own home, she thought, I can at least give him a festive one. As the blue lights dipped and bobbed overhead she created a tree of green and red orbs towards the back of the cave. It wasn’t the biggest tree and it certainly wouldn’t smell right but it was better than nothing. The few presents she had been able to save from the fire were placed neatly beneath it. Everything was ready. Her breath hitched as he turned in his sleep and for the hundredth time that night her heart ached for her little boy and for everything she wasn’t going to be able to give him this Christmas. Not everything can be replaced she knew. So much had been taken from him and there hadn’t been much to begin with.

He turned in his sleep again, uncomfortable on the sharp ground. He needed a bed. He needed warmer clothes. He needed a new home. And she couldn’t provide any of those things right now. The little bit of magic she had left had gone into making the cave habitable for the time they would be staying in it and the paltry amount of food she had stashed.

Merry Christmas she thought miserably.

Looking at him laying there sleeping peacefully she knew that they were about to fall on hard times again. It was too hard to overlook the bluish tint to their skin, the strange markings on their wrists and collarbones, and the intimidating fangs they could never completely hide. It would be a long time before she could build up enough manna to mask their appearances in public. She would have to find work the way she looked now to be able to feed him. Tears came then – tears she had been holding back since they ran from the fire and the mob. Where do we go now?

I could always steal the manna I need. No, she thought. That would mean sacrifice and serving up a life so she could do magic tricks had never felt right to her. She would find another way. She always had before. Sleep was what she needed now. Christmas morning was on its way only hours away and she was going to have to put on a brave face.

Wiping the tears she felt her resolve strengthening again. Anything she had to do would be done. Anything. And it would all start tomorrow. She closed her eyes for only a moment and a loud jarring noise woke her.

Something was intruding on their cave. Her black claws began to grow and her fangs pierced the inside of her lip readying for a fight. There wasn’t going to be anymore running for them tonight.

The mouth of the cave was pitch black and a large silhouette blotted out the stars as it lumbered its way in. Her first thought was bear but as she crept closer its scent was obviously human. They reeked. She knew it must have been a homeless person or a lost camper. There were campsites not far from their location and there was the highway as well. It doesn’t matter who it is she thought – only that they be on their way. She stayed in the darkness waiting for her moment. She didn’t want to hurt anyone, she only wanted to scare them away. Usually by now humans would have sensed her presence with that primordial ability of theirs to sense when they’re in danger from a creature of the night but this man dropped his pack, coughed sending a puff of smoke into the air, and made himself comfortable. She shuffled her feet ever so slightly, let a low growl echo up to where he lay and he didn’t even stir.

“If you don’t want me staying here you could just ask me to leave.”

His voice betrayed age. He still hadn’t moved and she knew that her tricks weren’t going to be scaring him away. But if he was able to sense her he might be other too. She let her fangs all the way down and her claws ready to kill.

She made her voice as low and venomous as she could. “If I have to ask you I may as well make you.”

In the dark she should have the advantage. Her vision was sharp as an owl’s in the night. Not only could she see the intruder but she could see the gnat flying around his dingy beard. Stepping out in the open she made her way to the man – she needed to make this quick before Simon woke. The last time he saw blood it had made him sick. To her dismay he didn’t seem the least bit alarmed and as she slowly stalked closer he merely sat up and turned to look right at her. She froze.

“It really would be easier if you just asked me to leave. I don’t want to fight.” He raised his hands in defeat. “Look, I’m sorry if I’m intruding but I can’t run anymore tonight.”

Her claws and fangs began to retract. Maybe it was stupid but her heart went out to him. What was he running from? What had they done to him?

No, she told herself, you will not allow this man to stroll past your defenses with his sob story only to allow him to hurt Simon.

“No, you need to leave.”

He sighed, pulled his heft to his feet and grabbed for his bag. It was too heavy for him and pulled him back down. He seemed weary and weak.

Before she could stop herself she asked, “When was the last time you ate?”

Between heavy breaths he said, “A few days.”

She nodded. “Right. Come on. We have food and water and an extra sleeping bag you can use. Don’t make me regret this.”

He followed knowing exactly where to step. He had to be other. They reached their little camp and Simon was up checking out the magic tree, his frame so little and fragile. She silently cursed herself for not remembering that she had used manna and that this man was now going to be able to see it, especially not knowing what he is. Certain creatures in their world could steal magic if they chose to. She was one but never had the stomach to do that to another living thing. Ever on her guard she pointed to the blankets. No that she could take a good look at him he was indeed old and calling him portly would have been generous as he was nearing obesity. He didn’t have any distinguishing marks, nothing on the outside said he was other. He put his things down and followed behind and looked at her and Simon. He didn’t freeze like other humans, didn’t scream or try to run in terror, he just smiled.

“My name is Christopher.”

“I’m Innayo and this is Simon.”

An awkward moment of silence passed. “Simon, could you get Christopher some water and something to eat please?”

He nodded still unsure of the stranger who didn’t seem scared or surprised at their appearance at all and he bobbed his little head back and forth as he fixed a plate. Christopher ate everything they gave enjoying it thoroughly and Innayo wished she had more to give him. He was filthy and tired and had obviously been through something recently.

“Can I ask why you’re hiding here?”

Innayo replied, “We lost our house. We needed someplace to stay until I can find us another home.” She hesitated. “Why aren’t you scared of us?”

“Should I be?”

Simon answered this time. “We’re monsters. You should be screaming, chasing us out, and threatening our lives or something. Like everyone else does.”

“That’s what everyone else does huh? Well,” he sniffed, “you don’t seem like monsters to me.”

“You’re not afraid we’re going to eat you? Sacrifice you to our ancient gods?”

Christopher laughed at that. “No. I think if you were going to kill me you would have done it. Only decent people take in strangers and give them hospitality.”

“I like you,” Simon decided. He gave Christopher a warm smile then went off to snoop about the presents.

“And what are you doing out here in the woods?” Innayo felt herself easing around him but she wanted to know if he was a part of her world. This man was nice, intelligent and had a normal face and yet he appeared bedraggled and homeless. Of all the monsters she knew, he fit in to society better than all of them and yet here he was, still shunned and outcast.

“I was looking for someone and got a little lost. I’ll be out at first light.”

Simon had gone back to playing in the lights trying to keep his eyes off the few presents under the tree. Innayo said, “Rest as long as you need and after some rest we’ll get you some more food.”

He lay down and asked another question Innayo wasn’t sure she wanted to answer. “Do you really think you’re a monster?”

No. She didn’t. “Sometimes I wish I could be.”

He made a sound and ran his fingers through his beard. “I for one am grateful you’re not. It’s been too long since I’ve run into someone with your heart. Even after all you two have been through and with the little you have you still choose to give. It’s a beautiful and rare thing, like your magic. Thank you again for your help.”

Innayo didn’t know what to say.

“Oh, and merry Christmas.” He chuckled then drifted off to sleep.

Simon had also gone back to sleep under the floating lights and though Innayo liked this strange man she still didn’t fully trust him. She stayed awake as long as she could but eventually fell asleep as well.

“Mom – mom! Wake up! Santa’s been here!”

“Santa?”

She woke to her son shaking her. Her floating lights were still all that illuminated the cave but she knew the sun had risen outside. Their strange visitor had gone and hadn’t taken anything with him. It made her uncomfortable that she hadn’t woken to feed him before he went on his way or at least tell him merry Christmas. This was a holiday no one should be alone on and he was out there by himself. She heard Simon ripping into the presents and Santa had indeed come. The tree was full. New clothes, new shoes, toys, bedding; everything Simon had lost was under that tree.

“Here mom,” he ran up to her with a little red bag in his hands. “This one is for you.” He kissed her on the cheek and his smile was so big. Innayo felt tears forming.

There was a note attached to her bag. It simply said, You need this more than I. Merry Christmas!

She began to cry. It was full of manna. Indeed, more than she would ever need in her lifetime. She could rebuild their home with this. Everything material they had lost to the humans could be replaced all because of this one little bag.

“Merry Christmas,” she whispered.