The Naughty List

This is part of a short series. Each story is also very short! I recommend reading them in order if you haven't already. Here they are:

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"We can't let the kids see this." Sandy said, yet she didn't move, unwilling to touch the mutilated tail. She worked hard not to vomit.

"You're right," her husband said, looking grave. "We should call the police. It's a threat. That's how pyschos start, with animals. And then..."

"Don't!" Sandy shuddered. "Okay. We'll call."

"I'll do it," Karl said. "You need to tell the kids, no more of this elf stuff. You're better at it than me."

Sandy nodded, glad, for once, that he recognised her parenting skills.

"Should we leave it like this? You know... the crime scene? In case they need to do forensics or something?"

Karl shook his head. "We have to clean it up. You're right; can't let the kids see."

Karl hid Jingles in the attic, the elf's furry necktie still in place.

When Sandy sat Summer, Wyatt, and Mateo at the kitchen table, Karl strode into the living room, phone in hand. Sandy heard him, just before he pulled the door closed. "I need to report an incident... yes, I think it's quite serious..."

"I'm afraid Jingles has been too naughty," Sandy poured cereal, her voice grave. "He's hurt Malcolm, who's staying at the vets until he's better." Her hands were trembling violently, and the milk spilled. She tried to gauge their reactions with furtive glances. Could the culprit be looking at her right now with wide, innocent eyes?

"I've had to report it to Santa," she went on, getting into the story, "and he's called Jingles back to the North Pole. There's going to be an inquiry, and... I'm afraid Jingles is going to be on the naughty list." She nodded for emphasis, and fetched the juice from the fridge.

"How did he hurt Malcolm? Wyatt hadn't touched his bowl. He leaned forward, eager for details.

"He... hurt his tail," Sandy admitted.

Wyatt smirked. "Mateo does that all the time. Is Matty on the naughty list too?"

Matty wailed, and Wyatt sniggered.

"No!" Sandy cut across the cacophony. "Matty's on the Nice List, thank you, Wyatt. Jingles hurt Malcolm badly."

Scowling, Wyatt dug his spoon into his dish, muttering.

"Must have pulled his tail so hard it came off."

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Thank you for reading!

CW - animal harmed