The Giver

Jennifer heard a loud thud on the roof, and sprang out of bed. Her pink pajamas fluttered as she ran down the hall of her house.

“It’s Santa!” she thought. When Jennifer arrived in the living room, she saw a tall, skinny man wearing a blue suit.

“Santa Clause?” she asked. The man spun around, revealing a blue skinned face framed by stringy black hair and a matching Fu Manchu.

“You’re close little one,” he said with a grin. Sharp yellow teeth jutted from his black cracked lips. “For you see, I’m Aleister Clause”

“Al… what?” Jennifer inquired. Aleister picked up his full blue sack and walked towards Jennifer.

“Al-eh-stair, CLAUSE,” he barked out the word Clause with exuberance. He continued, “You see I’m Santa Clause’s brother.”

“Really?” Jennifer asked as her eyes beamed.

Aleister let out a cackle and said, “Really, little one.” His face hardened as he continued, “But it’s not it’s all cracked up to be. He was very mean to me.”

“THE Santa Clause?” she asked.

“Oh yes my dear, you see it all started when our father, Time Clause, decided that all the good children around the world, like you,” he gently touched her nose and continued, “deserved to be rewarded with presents. Now I love children, so I wanted to be the one who got to deliver the presents around the world.”

“Well why don’t you?” She asked.

“Our father picked Santa Clause to be the gift bearer.” Aleister said with a frown.

“Why?” Jennifer asked while cocking her head to the side.

“Well, father thought I was too ugly and said I might scare the children if they catch me,” he started to sob into his hands.

“It’s ok Al-stairs,” she said before hugging Aleister’s leg. “I’m not scared of you.” Jennifer’s face lit up with realization and she exclaimed, “If you’re here, then you must get to fill in for Santa this year!”

Aleister put his arm around Jennifer’s shoulders and spoke, “No, my dear. You see Santa never takes a day off.”

“Then why are you here? Are you…” Jennifer started, but then Aleister stuffed her in his bag. Her screams were muffled in the thick, blue burlap.

“You see my dear, if Santa gets to give the children joy, then my ultimate revenge would be to take their joy away.” Aleister stated coldly. He dashed up the chimney and vanished into the night.