Red Wrapping Paper
by D. Matthew Urban
December 24, 11:54 p.m. Not yet.
I stand over my baby brother’s crib.
December 24, 11:55 p.m. Not yet.
He’s sleeping. So innocent.
December 24, 11:56 p.m. Not yet.
I never thought I’d have a baby brother.
December 24, 11:57 p.m. Not yet.
I thought it’d be just me and Mom, forever.
December 24, 11:58 p.m. Not yet.
“My miracle,” Mom said. “My present from heaven.”
December 24, 11:59 p.m. Not yet.
Almost time. I raise my arm, hold the knife high.
December 25, 12:00 a.m.
Christmas morning. Time to open the present.
D. Matthew Urban
D. Matthew Urban grew up in Texas but now lives, strangely enough, in Queens, New York. He has written weird fiction in both locations.
I love the way this story takes that anticipation of the night before Christmas that we all can relate to from childhood and turns it into something sinister.
The repetition was a bold choice given the word count, but Urban makes it work hard for the real estate. It adds suspense and lends a realistic childlike voice to the narrator.
A well crafted and chilling tale!