by Les Talma She made a deal with Santa. It was uncommon, but she had been very good, while others had been very bad. So bad that they’d driven her best friend to suicide with cruel taunts and ceaseless torments. Coal just wouldn’t cut it. But now, she’d be punishing those naughty-listers. Just her, […]
by Steven Holding ‘Tis goodwill season and the Devil’s fuming. Despite different addresses (one red-hot, another ice cold), post destined for the pole keeps appearing. Incorrect grammar’s the reason: lists from mixed-up kids who can’t spell S-A-N-T-A. Both wear red, keep company with knee-high entities, but there the similarities end. Sickened, Old Nick’s quick […]
by Blaise Langlois The note, propped up against a plate of cookies, read: For Santa. No persuasion was required—St Nick had come to expect such delicacies. After washing down the treats with a tall glass of milk, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He considered the remaining crumbs but doubled […]
by Lindsey Harrington She licks her lips and surveys his upside-down, unconscious face. Sugarplum eyes to shuck, button nose to bite off, and bowed lips that will twist and stretch with each procedure, his Ho-Ho-Ows bouncing off the decorated walls. She pauses and frowns. Is the prey too easy? Her smirk returns. Nah! Serves […]
by W. Ed George Germans herald the Holy Child with breads, pickles and wurst. “Yummy,” decrees my mother-in-law from Dusseldorf each year; I call it “Spam Christmas.” She takes umbrage; injects politics, money, my drinking every time. Holidays thus ratchet our rivalry. But this year I’ve set the menu. I’ll mince garlic till our […]
by Simon Clarke Christmas tomorrow, we need to make space for the family. They had planned a move to Australia; I blamed our son, Mary blamed the daughter-in-law. We would never see the grandchildren again. It wasn’t fair. We’d be just another lonely, miserable old couple despite all our years of help and support. […]
by Sophie Wagner “What do you think, Stephen? Have we been good this year?” “For his sake,” he said, “let’s hope so.” Santa lay spread eagle atop a pile of coal, held in place by candy canes that were shoved through his forearms, his one remaining eye still twinkling. Walter scanned both lists, then […]
by Brianna Witte I snatched up the large present under the Christmas tree, the bright red wrapping paper dropping to the ground in shreds. I opened the white box, my little heart racing with excitement. My breath caught, the pure astonishment paralysing me. A human head sat perfectly preserved in the bag; the dark […]
by Pauline Yates On Christmas morning, I wake to find a blonde and a brunette, naked as newborn babes, asleep in our bed. They fit the description written on my husband’s Christmas wish list. He wished for a threesome—without me. Wondering if Santa granted my Christmas wish, I hurry downstairs to the Christmas tree. […]
by C.L. Sidell The tree was too big for our house; its crown bent under the ceiling and too-long branches snatched our sleeves when we walked past. “Best find in the state!” Pops boasted. We woke Christmas morning to find every present under the tree open, a red-eyed ghoul crouched among wrapping paper and […]