(Link to the beginning https://atomic-temporary-37778625.wpcomstaging.com/2024/12/12/rescuing-christmas-memories-the-land-of-forgotten-toys/)

Hugging the ground, dodging around trees and houses, Simon approached Diamond Hill. Once a popular skiing resort, thousands of kids learned to ski the slopes here. This was where many memories—and some lifetime friendships—were made.

It bothered Levi that what was once a place to create memories had now become a place where they went to be forgotten.

Or taken from those who need them the most.

As they neared the peak of the hill, Simon flared his nostrils, spun in mid-air, then landed in a clearing. When Levi and Vel jumped down, Simon nudged them to the edge of the clearing.

Levi spotted it first. A bell! One of the bells from Iriel’s collar. It had been untied and dropped there.

Grandfather was leaving them a message!

“Look,” Vel said, pointing to a low-hanging branch. A small tuft of brown reindeer fur clung to the branch. Examining the ground, they could tell someone had tried to cover the footprints and hoofprints in the snow.

“They definitely came this way,” Levi said. “We need to follow the trail.”

“We do,” Vel said. “But we must be careful. This memory thief, or whatever he is, will expect us to do just that. We need to move cautiously; he may already know we are here, but if he doesn’t, we’ll have the element of surprise on our side.”

Levi moved to see how far the trail led into the woods. “If we walk a few yards to the side, we can still follow it but stay hidden in the trees.”

Vel nodded.

“What about Simon, though?” Levi asked. “He’s too big to hide.”

Vel whispered to Simon, and the reindeer faded from sight.

“Wha? Where’d he go?” Levi said, looking around.

“Right here,” Vel said, pointing to the ground.

Standing next to Vel’s boots was Simon, who was the size of a mouse.

“Reindeer magic,” Vel said. “Some places Santa flies into are very small. Let’s go.”

Making their way through the heavy underbrush was exhausting but they pushed on. After a few hundred yards they could see a dim light up ahead coming from a cave entrance.

“That must be where they went,” Vel said. “Did you know about this cave?”

Levi shook his head. “We’d heard rumors or stories about hidden caves. The older kids would tell stories about a person called Fingernail Freddy and secret caves. We thought they were just trying to scare us.”

“Listen!” Vel said. “Do you hear that?”

Levi held his breath momentarily, leaning one ear towards the cave. There was singing coming from inside.

“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus. You’re as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch. I wouldn’t touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole.”

From deep in the cave, the musically challenged but enthusiastically loud voice of his grandfather echoed off the walls.

Then, another voice. Deep, raspy, and angry interrupted the song.

“Stop that singing, or I will stop it for you.”

Then silence.

Vel and Levi knew what they had to do.

Tomorrow: Facing One’s Biggest Fears

(Author’s note, Christmas is about sharing. Please share this with everyone you know!)

In case you missed it, here’s the link to the beginning of the story https://atomic-temporary-37778625.wpcomstaging.com/2024/12/12/rescuing-christmas-memories-the-land-of-forgotten-toys/