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

Vel and Levi moved closer to the entrance, trying to avoid the light. The cave had gone silent, and they had no idea what they would face inside.

“Now what?” Levi said.

“We can’t just rush in there,” Vel said. “We’ve no idea what we’d face. We need to draw him, or it, out.”

“What was it Blintzkin said? This creature hoards memories. Let’s give him what he wants.” Levi lifted his head to look over a fallen log. “I’ll draw him out and away from the cave, you slip inside and get to my grandfather and Wyatt.”

“I don’t know, Levi. It might be too…” But her words fell on deaf ears. Levi was already moving toward the light. Vel shook her head, whispered to Simon, then moved in the shadows closer to the entrance.

As Levi came into the light, he yelled “Come out here now!” More noise arose from inside.

“Just as I expected that other grandson of yours has come to join the party. I shall go greet him and extend my warmest welcome. He may be young, but his memories we shall savor all the more for their innocence.”

Levi watched as the door to the cave swung open. It was hard to make out any detail because the light was blinding at first, then movement and a creature emerged.

About the size of a gnome with dark, deep red skin on his face, He shuffled more than walked and his eyes seemed to glow.

“Come out where I can see you, Levi. Don’t be afraid, I won’t harm you.” The creature paused for a moment. “Of course, I can’t say the same for your grandfather and brother.” Raising his hand, he squeezed his fingers together.  From inside came a cry of pain from Wyatt.

“Don’t hurt them, I’m coming out.” Levi said. Glancing toward the entrance, he saw Vel just on the edge of the shadows. Moving further to his right, he left the shadows and came into the light.

The creature turned to face him, his back now to the entrance. Vel slipped inside.

“Well, well. It’s nice to meet you, Levi. I’ve enjoyed all the memories your grandfather has of you. And Wyatt’s as well. They will be a cherished addition to our collection.”

“I’m not giving up my memories,” Levi said, moving to keep the creature’s focus on him.

“Now, now my boy. we don’t need you to give them up…” The creature moved suddenly to within a few feet of Levi. “If we want something, we just take it.”

As the creature lunged toward Levi, Simon, now returned to full size, flew out of the woods, knocked the creature to the ground and pinned him there. The creature squirmed and struggled but without the use of his arms he could summon no magic.

“It would seem we have a standoff,” the creature hissed. “This beast can’t hold me here forever and as soon as I am free, I will drag you into my cave to join the others.”

“I don’t think so,” Levi’s grandfather said, emerging from the cave with Wyatt, Iriel, and Vel. Carrying what appeared to be a Christmas Wreath, he approached the prone creature.

There was the slightest show of fear in the creature’s eyes. Then they resumed their glare.

“You are powerless over me,” the creature said. “I shall prevail.”

“I might be,” Grandfather said. “But there is something about this,” shaking the wreath, “that does have power over you.” He took a step closer, holding the wreath out in front.

The creature struggled against the full weight of the deer.

“Stop, stop. What is it you want?” the creature said, now resigned to negotiation.

“Where are the gifts you’ve stolen?” Levi asked. “We want them back.”

“Hah,” the creature laughed. “You think I am alone in this? There is a whole legion of us. You’ll never find them.”

Grandfather took another step.

“Wait, wait,” the creature panicked. “I’m just a small part of this. The real power is…”

Before the creature finished the sentence, the wreath flew out of Grandfather’s hands. A flash of light blinded them all. When they recovered the creature was gone.

“How did you know about the power in the wreath?” Levi asked his grandfather.

“It was the way he kept looking at it, almost avoiding it. I knew there was something. Probably the way whoever is really behind this controls these others.”

“So, the gifts are not here?”

Vel shook her head. “Once I got your grandfather, Wyatt, and Iriel free, I looked around. There’s no room for anything in that cave.”

“So, we’re back to square one?” Levi said,

“Not completely,” Grandfather said. “Show ’em, Wyatt.”

Wyatt reached into his pocket and produced a stone like the one the Gnome had given Levi.

“What’s that?”

“We’re not sure,” Grandfather said, “but the creature put it on the table, and we saw it spinning then stop. Wyatt here, resourceful little guy that he is, grabbed it and hid it in his pocket.

Levi reached in and pulled out his own stone, holding both in his hands, they began to spin. After a few seconds they both pointed in the same direction.

“Maybe these will lead us to him.” Levi said,

Tomorrow: A Long and Dusty Trail

(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/