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

“So do we follow the stones?” Levia asked.

“We will, but first let’s look in the cave,” Grandfather said. “There may be clues or something useful.”

They spent the next thirty minutes or so looking around the cave. All they found was some old Christmas cards and some wrapping paper.

“Hey, ah, ah, ah,” Grandfather said, looking at Levi. He seemed to struggle to think.

“Levi,” Vel said. “That’s Levi.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. That’s Levi, and that’s ah Wyatt and, ah, and you are…” Grandfather stopped. “What’s happening?”

Levi was the first to realize what to do. “That creature must have done something to you. Your memory is fading. We have to get out of here.”

Taking his grandfather’s hand, he led him out of the cave. Once outside, the memory lapse seemed to fade.

“Well, there isn’t anything useful inside the cave, but there is some sort of power here,” Grandfather said. “Maybe we can find the source of the power.”

“I wonder?” Vel said.

“What is it?” Levi asked.

“Can I see the stones?” Vel said, putting out her hand.

Levi and Wyatt handed them over and watched as Vel put one on top of the other.  Nothing happened. She took the top stone and put it on the bottom and both stones began spinning in opposite directions.

After a moment they stopped, and they were now covered with symbols.

They all waited, but nothing happened. Then, they heard the sounds of kids laughing and the low hum of machinery.

“What’s that?” Levi asked.

“I wonder?”  Vel said. “Come on, follow me” And the group ran to the top of the mountain. There before them was the Diamond Hill of the 1960s. Ski tow rope running, hillside covered with skiers of all levels.

“What happened?” Levi asked.

“I’m not sure but I think we’ve been sent back in time.” Vel answered.

“Why here?” Levi asked.

“I think I know,” said Grandfather. “This is where I met your grandmother. Right here on this slope.” He smiled as he stared off in the distance. “We shared our first kiss right here in the woods.”

“Ewww, gross,” said Wyatt.

“You say that now my boy, but just wait.”

“But why send us here of all places and at this time in the past?” Levi asked.

Grandfather thought for a long time. “I think it’s because all memories began in the past. Something about this place holds a key to finding the lost memories. Oh my…” His words stopped suddenly.

They all followed his gaze and saw a young man and woman, barely teenagers, standing at the edge of the woods.  They talked for a while, then the boy leaned in and kissed the girl. After a moment, they shared another.

Levi looked at his grandfather and could see the tears in his eyes. “What’s wrong, Grandfather? Isn’t this a happy memory?”

“Oh, it is, my boy, it certainly is. I just wish I had remembered how I felt at this moment more often. Your grandmother puts up with a lot from me, I’m not sure I ever showed her how much it meant.”

Pausing once more, he watched the young couple, now hand in hand and oblivious to everything around them, walk off in the snow.

Vel reached up and touched the old man on his shoulder. He looked at her. “What is it, Vel?”

“The stones are spinning again,” she held out her hand as the stones came to a stop, both pointing away from Diamond Hill.

“It would seem this is not the final stop,” Vel said, “We need to go.”

Grandfather took one last look at the young couple’s footprints then walked over to Iriel. “Come on, boys and girl. It would seem we have a long and dusty trail ahead.”

Tomorrow: A Thief in the Night

(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/