Seeing off Santa
Chapter 14
Hi there! It’s return of the Pumpkin King!
Well, it’s Christmas eve!
Myself and my dear Sally were to be wed tomorrow. I’ve never felt so happy and I’ve never been so in love.
But, the wedding would have to wait just one more day.
…
I was in Christmas Town with Emma, Sarmoo, Charlie, Mathew, Benjamin and Benny Bear.
We were all gathered around Sandy Claws’s sleigh, helping the elves with the last of the present packing.
“Chor!” Benjamin let our a gasp as he saw the sight of all the presents made up in a mountain on Sandy’s sleigh. “’Ow many are there?”
“Well, there’s enough for every boy and girl on Santa Clause’s nice list.” Said Charlie.
“I’ve been nice this year. Which one’s mine?” Said Benjamin.
“You’ll just have to wait until Christmas day.” Said Sarmoo
“What have you and father Chwistmas made for me?”
“We can’t tell you that, Benjamin!” Charlie exclaimed and slightly giggled.
“Don’t worry, Benjamin,” Benny Bear began. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Mathew, in the form of a sparrow, was perched on one of the reindeers antlers. And he twittered at Benjamin. It sounded like he was laughing.
Emma stood by and watched them all chatting whilst packing.
I chose to try to get her involved in the subject.
“What do you think Sandy Claws has got you for Christmas then?” I asked Emma.
“I doubt that he’s got me my friends safe and sound, or a way home.” Emma sighed.
“Oh, Emma, don’t be so hopeless. After mine and Sally’s Christmas wedding I’ll soon be back to help you find the rest of your friends. And Emma…”
Emma looked up to me as I placed my hand on her shoulder.
“…We’ll find them. I promise.”
“And what about that spirit? What if it’s already found the others before we do?”
“Don’t forget, that spirit holds the answer to bringing Anastasia and Nadallia back to life. If we find that spirit, we’ll be in luck. We still have business with it.”
“But something tells me that when we find that demon, he won’t wanna tell us what we wanna know.”
“That’s where teamwork comes in, Emma. If we all work together, you, me and your friends then we’ll beat that demon make it bring Annie and Nadallia back. Working together is what’s gonna get you home, Emma. As the leader of your friends, that’s something you’ll soon learn.”
Emma still seemed a little sad about Annie and Nadallia and she still seemed a little doubtful in her leadership.
But I tried my best to make her feel hopeful.
Later on, after all the presents were packed, the garage door was opened and it revealed a ramp heading for the sky.
It was time for Sandy to do the job I so desperately wanted to do right all these years since my nightmare before Christmas.
But, I still wanted to wish him luck and watch him as he soared off into the night sky.
“You must feel so happy to have a job as joyful and heart-warming as this, Sandy Clause.” I shook Sandy’s hand before he entered his sleigh. “I feel a little sad that I’m not delivering the presents, but I still feet happy that someone who can do the job right is.”
“Well, at least after all these years you’ve understood how important delivering presents is, and that delivering presents is something only I can do.” Said Sandy.
“You’ll come back and give me my pwesents, won’t you Father Chwistmas?” Benjamin tugged at Sandy’s clothes.
“Of course I will.” Said Sandy Clause. “How could I forget one of the nicest little boys on my nice list.”
Benjamin giggled and jumped for joy, (literally).
“Calm down, Benjamin.” Benny Bear tried to advise him not to jump so much. “I think all that sugar from the candy canes has gone to your head.”
“Benny Bear’s right.” Said Emma. “No more candy for you tonight, you insane little rascal.”
Emma picked him up and rested him on her hip to help hold him comfortably.
“I hope you bring joy to Children all over this world.” Said Sarmoo as he bowed to Sandy.
“Thank you, Sarmoo.” Said Sandy Claws. “Well, I think it’s time I’d better be off.”
“Myself, as well.” I said. “I’ll have to go back to Halloween Town tonight. I have a wedding tomorrow.”
“But you’re gonna watch the take off, right?” Said Emma.
“Of course.” I slightly ruffed up her hair.
“Hey, watch the hat.” Emma slightly laughed.
Sandy Claws stepped into his sleigh and sat down on the drivers seat.
“Well, I’m off.”
Sandy whipped the reindeer at the front of his sleigh and they quickly began running.
Mathew flew off quickly and landed on the floor next to Sarmoo.
“Farwell, Jack! And Farwell, Children!” Sandy Claws called out. “And of course…Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, Sandy!” I cried back.
“See ya, Santa!” Cried Emma.
“Bye bye, Father Chwistmas!” Yelled Benjamin.
We all cried out goodbyes and we waved Sandy Claws off as he soared into the sky. Off to do the job I so desperately wanted to do right.
Still, I was happy to know that tomorrow morning, all the little girls and boys would get up early and rush to their toys. And there would be no surprises and no mistakes.
…
After Sandy Claws was out of sight, I then said my goodbyes to Emma, Sarmoo, Charlie, Benjamin, Benny Bear and Mathew. They chose to stay in Christmas Town and got to Halloween Town tomorrow.
Myself, I was the one getting married and I needed to be back in Halloween Town as soon as possible.
I walked up the snowy hill where on top stood the Halloween holiday door.
I loved Christmas Town so much, but I couldn’t wait to get home, and get married…
But something dark and mysterious was about to stand in my way.
When I got to the top of the hill and I had the holiday door in my sights, there was something strange about it.
It was emitting this strange black mist from the handle.
I was a little puzzled at first.
Daring as I was, I reached out my hand and tried to place it upon the handle.
My hand just slipped through.
I was a little shocked.
I couldn’t hold the handle, I couldn’t open the door.
And then…the smoke merged into a shape.
I stared as the smoke made out some kind of face.
I gazed intriguingly.
And then…I saw the face of a hooded figure…
#WHOOOOOSH!#
The smoke then rushed towards me as the face disappeared.
You can’t scare me that easily.
But something suddenly made me worried when I looked back at the door.
The handle was gone! And in its place there was a keyhole.
The keyhole still emitted black mist just like the handle. My guess, it was the work of the dark spirit.
But this was a problem.
The Halloween holiday door was locked.
We were trapped in Christmas Town.
