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

“What did you say?” Levi asked, moving closer to the girl.

“Are you here to play with me?” the girl said, holding her doll for Levi to see..

“What’s your name?”

“Mary.”

“Is your doll named England?”

The girl smiled. “She is. How did you know?”

“That, I’m afraid, is a long story,” Levi said. “Who do you live here with?”

“No one.” The girl answered, then turned and started to skip away.

“Wait,” Levi said, chasing after the girl.

“Levi don’t!” Vel yelled, but it was too late. In a flash, Levi and the girl disappeared. Now there was nothing but solid rock.

Vel returned outside and started down the path to find Iriel. She stopped momentarily, then returned to retrieve the rocks that had opened the door. They might come in handy, she thought.

*****

Levi was blinded by the flash of light, and it took him a moment to recover. Opening his eyes, he couldn’t quite wrap his mind around what was before him.

There were piles of toys, books, balls, puzzles. A whole shopping mall full of gifts. But more troubling were the children. There were too many to count. All clung to some sort of gift, but their hollow eyes and sunken cheeks did not make a happy scene.

The girl who had met him at the entrance stood behind a tall, gaunt-looking creature. A cross between an elf, gnome, and human. Clearly, she was afraid of this creature.

“Glad to see you’ve come to join our little troop,” the creature hissed. 

Levi recognized it from when his grandfather and Wyatt had been taken. 

“I was going to settle for the old man and the little one, but you seemed to offer more interesting memories with that imagination of yours. Now,” the creature said, looking around, “what gift shall I let you hold again?”

“I’ll take nothing from you,” Levi said, hands on hips and trying to act as defiant as he could.

“Yes, yes, of course, that’s what they all say until…” the creature smiled, reaching into a pile of things and pulling out baseball glove. He tossed it to Levi. “Remember this?”

“My first glove!  I thought I’d lost it. But I did lose it. You took it?” Levi examined the glove, saw his name faded but still readable in the wrist strap, and could smell the leather and oil he used to keep it supple.

“I cried for a week when I lost it.”

“True, but then you forgot about it, didn’t you? Replaced with a new one, and the memories of the old one faded.

“You’re a thief!” Levi shouted, throwing the glove at the creature, who easily dodged it.

“I am no such thing. You left the glove in your exuberance over winning, and I saved the memory. It’s a nice addition to my collection.”

“I didn’t give it up. It was a mistake. I went back to look for it,” Levi said.

“Well, it was too late then. And now, since you’ve decided to interfere with my business, you can spend the rest of your time here with your glove you say was so precious.”

“Who are all these kids here?” Levi asked.

“They are what you will become. Shadows of the memories they once embraced. Without me, they’d be simply forgotten. I keep them alive,” the creature said, putting his arm around the girl who shrunk back from him.

“Make yourself comfortable,” the creature smiled. “There is no way out. Although I am sure you will try, won’t you, Levi?”

In a flash, the creature was gone and Levi was left with the sad-eyed children. The girl he first encountered came over.

“I’m sorry I tricked you. He made me do it.”

“I know,” Levi said.

“Can I ask you something?” the girl said.

“Sure.”

“How did you know the name of my doll?”

Levi smiled. “I’ve met you. Well, an older you. Mary, right?  And she told me all about the doll.”

“She remembers?” the girl said

“She does now,” Levi said.  Then something strange happened. The girl and the doll began to fade from view. Soon, they were gone.

Remembering is the key, Levi thought. They have to remember!

Tomorrow: There is Nothing So Precious as a Gift from the Heart

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