Back to a Familiar Town
Chapter 5
So, Benjamin’s story has now been told. A little sad really, but if we all go home, Benjamin wont die, he’ll live! All that was wrong will be reversed. That’s what we were told.
But Benjamin’s been over the moon with ‘Chwistmas’ coming up. He’s even bee pestering Santa Clause and trying to find out what he’s getting for Christmas.
“Pwease!!!” Benjamin begged.
“Sorry, little one.” Said Santa Clause. “You’ll just have to find you on Christmas day. I don’t tell any other boy’s and girls on my nice list what I’m making them for Christmas.”
“But I won’t tell them. I pwomise.” Benjamin moaned.
“I don’t think you understood Santa, Benjamin.” Said Benny Bear. “You’ll just have to accept that you’re gonna have to wait until Christmas.”
“But I can’t wait that wong!”
“It’s the twelfth now. There’s only thirteen more days.”
“Thirteen? Dat’s too wong.”
“‘Long’, not ‘wong’.” Benny Bear corrected. “Anyway, we’d better leave Father Christmas to do all his preparations. You’ll have no presents if Father Christmas can’t make them for you.”
“That’s right, Benjamin.” Said Santa. “Why don’t you see where Sarmoo and Charlie are. Maybe they will play a game with you.”
“Owh.” Benjamin moaned. “Alwight.”
Benjamin took Benny Bear by the hand and walked off out the door and left Santa writing his preparations down for his elves.
Benjamin walked outside and onto the snowy bank. Benny Bear climbed up onto his shoulders so the cold wouldn’t get to Benjamin.
“Sarmoo!” Benjamin called out. “Charlie!”
“Hi, Benjamin.” I myself called out from the top of the snowy hill where stood the tree with the Halloween Holiday door.
I was with Jack, Sarmoo and Charlie the elf was there as well.
“Hi ya, guys!” Benjamin called out as he ran up the hill.
Benny Bear bumped about on Benjamin’s shoulders.
“Whoa…oof! Hey, slow down there, Benjamin. You’ll slip again!”
Benjamin ran…and stumbled…and got his balance again…and kept on running…and stumbled…and slipped…and fell flat on his face in the snow as soon as he got to the top of the hill.
Sarmoo and Charlie couldn’t contain their laughter.
Jack shook his head.
And I sighed.
Benjamin lifted his head up from the snow.
“You alright, Benjamin?” Jack asked as he helped him up.
“What are you guys doing up ‘ere?” Asked Benjamin.
“Well, Benjamin.” Jack began. “What do you think to a journey to a new holiday world?”
With Jack’s help, Benjamin stood up and stumbled.
“Anoder one?” Benjamin mispronounced his words.
“Yeah, I intend to find our friends as soon as possible.” I explained. “I wasted time in the last holiday world, I’m certainly not waiting anymore time in this one.”
“But Chwistmas Town is a wot of fun.” Said Benjamin.
“Sorry, Benjamin, but what if our friends are in trouble somewhere and need our help as soon as possible?” I said.
“Emma has a point.” Said Sarmoo. “She has a responsibility. We all do, really.”
“Where will we go?” Asked Benjamin.
“Well, no of us have decided yet.” Sais Sarmoo. “But Anyway, I’m staying here with Charlie, so…”
“I wanna stay here with Charwie, too!” Benjamin cried.
I was a little surprised.
“But I thought you liked adventures, Benjamin?” Said Jack.
“I like snow and Chwistmas Town better. I don’t wanna go anywhere just yet. I wanna stay ‘ere with Sarmoo, Charlie and Father Chwistmas.”
I had to think about this. Benjamin seemed determined to stay here. But if he did, then I couldn’t keep an eye on him.
“I don’t know.” I said. “Who would look after you? Santa’s too busy to be keeping an eye on you. Especially when you get into so much accidental trouble.”
“I can look after him.” Said Charlie.
“You?” I said.
“Yeah. Me, Sarmoo and all the other little elves can keep him occupied. And I’m sure my mum will help.”
“Then it’ll just be me and Jack.”
“You two can take care of your selves right?” Said Sarmoo.
“Of course!” Both me and Jack said together.
“The why don’t you trust us all to take care of Benjamin while you journey to another holiday world.”
“Because I know just what a hand full Benjamin O’Brien can be.”
“I’m sure if we all work together and help each other then we can all look after Benjamin.” Said Benny Bear.
I thought about it for a few seconds.
“Hmm, what do you think, Jack?” I asked his advice.
“Well, you’re supposed to be the leader of Benjamin and the rest of the Children. What do you think?” He said.
“Jack, you’re the only one around here who’s worthy enough to be called ‘leader’. What do YOU think?”
“I think Benjamin’s safe in this town. I trust this place, and everyone in it.”
Jack saw that I looked doubtful.
“Look, what about this then?” Jack began. “We go back to Halloween Town and decide which one of the holiday worlds were going to journey to next. If Benjamin’s got into trouble before we come back to say goodbye, we take him with us.”
“Hmm…”I pondered. “Alright. I like that.”
“So I can stay in snowy Chwistmas Town?” Benjamin spoke with excitement and hope.
“For now, yes.”
“Yey!!!” Benjamin squeezed Benny Bear tightly with glee.
“Hold on, Benjamin. Oof! You’ll hurt yourself.” Benny Bear was being squeezed and cuddled by his owner and best friend.
“It’s settled then.” Said Jack. “Back to Halloween Town we go!”
“I’ll see you later, Sarmoo. And Benny Bear, you take care of little trouble wont you?” I said.
“I’ll try my best. As I always do.” Sais Benny Bear.
I waved to Sarmoo, Charlie, Benjamin and Benny Bear.
I turned round behind me and I saw that Jack had the Halloween holiday door open and ready.
I walked up to the hold in the tree bark.
I looked into the bark.
“This is the worst mode of transport I have ever used.”
I then closed my eyes…and jumped in.
I found myself falling once again. Falling into what seemed like oblivion.
“Ahhh! I hate this thing…!”
