The town council smiled stiffly as the Christmas tree blazed to life in the bright square.
Cheers rose; mulled wine and cocoa flowed freely, carols filling the frozen air.
“The tree’s even more beautiful than last year!” someone cried.
The councilman’s smile tightened. If only they knew the true cost of such brilliance—the sweat, the tears… the blood.
Every year it demanded more.
He watched the crowd shimmer in the tree’s glow, laughter ringing like bells.
Any moment now, it would choose.
He clasped his trembling hands and prayed, as always, that the sacrifice wouldn’t be someone he loved.
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alt="The Ruins by David Albano"
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sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="The Final Gift Before Joining Our Family by Katara J. Z."
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sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="O, Christmas Tree by S. Jade Path"
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sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="I'll be Home for Christmas by Timmy le Frog"
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