The Christmas Eve Visitor

The Henderson family—Jack, his wife Sarah, and their eight-year-old son Timmy—sat by the fireplace, the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights reflecting in their eyes. The warmth of the evening wrapped around them like a cozy blanket as Timmy placed the last cookie on a plate for Santa.

“Don’t forget the milk,” Sarah said, setting a glass next to the cookies. Timmy grinned, his excitement palpable. “Santa’s going to love it! I can’t wait to see what he brings me!”

Jack chuckled, ruffling Timmy’s hair. “Alright, buddy, off to bed. Santa won’t come if you’re awake.”

Reluctantly, Timmy obeyed, running up the stairs. Sarah and Jack exchanged smiles, enjoying the peaceful moment as snow began to fall outside. The house grew quiet, the only sounds the crackling fire and the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway.

It was just past midnight when Jack stirred on the couch, woken by a strange sound. It was faint at first, like the tinkling of bells mixed with heavy footsteps on the roof. He nudged Sarah awake. “Do you hear that?”

Sarah sat up groggily, her brow furrowing. “It’s probably just the wind.”

But the noise grew louder. A deep, resonant thud echoed from above, followed by a scraping sound. “It’s him!” Timmy’s voice piped up from the stairs. He had crept down, his eyes wide with excitement.

“Timmy, back to bed,” Sarah said, but the boy shook his head. “Santa’s here!”

Before either parent could stop him, Timmy darted toward the living room, his footsteps quick and light. Jack and Sarah followed, their own unease building.

The sound shifted, now coming from the chimney. It was louder, a mix of grunts and the groaning of metal. Jack froze as soot began to fall into the hearth, the glow of the dying fire illuminating a dark figure emerging from the flue.

“Santa!” Timmy whispered in awe.

The figure stepped into the room, towering and cloaked in shadow despite the festive lights. It wore a red suit, but the fabric was tattered and stained, and its face was obscured by a beard that looked more like tangled cobwebs. Its eyes glinted like embers, and its mouth twisted into a grin that revealed jagged, yellowed teeth.

“Ho, ho, ho,” the creature intoned, its voice guttural and mocking. “Who’s been naughty this year?”

Sarah grabbed Timmy, pulling him close. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice trembling.

The creature’s smile widened. “I’m here for the gifts you promised me.” Its clawed hand gestured toward the cookies and milk. With a flick of its wrist, the plate shattered, the shards flying into the air before vanishing.

Jack stepped forward, his fear giving way to anger. “Get out of our house!” he shouted.

The creature’s laugh was a deep, echoing rumble. “Oh, I’m not here for cookies,” it said. “I’m here for you.”

The lights on the tree flickered and went out, plunging the room into near darkness. The creature lunged forward, its long, bony fingers reaching for Timmy. Sarah screamed, pulling her son back as Jack grabbed the fireplace poker and swung it with all his might.

The poker struck the creature, but it barely flinched. Instead, it turned its glowing eyes on Jack, its grin widening. “You think you can stop me?” it growled, its voice dripping with malice.

The air grew colder, frost creeping across the windows and the floor. Timmy clutched a small ornament from the tree, tears streaming down his face. “You’re not Santa!” he cried, hurling the ornament at the creature.

To everyone’s shock, the ornament struck the creature and burst into a brilliant light. The creature recoiled, shrieking as the light enveloped it. “What have you done?” it screamed, its form beginning to dissolve into shadows.

Sarah grabbed more ornaments, smashing them at the creature’s feet. Each one released the same radiant glow, forcing the entity to retreat. Jack and Timmy joined in, throwing every ornament they could find until the room was filled with a blinding light.

When the light faded, the creature was gone. The room was silent except for the sound of the clock ticking once more. The family stood together, trembling but alive.

“What was that?” Timmy asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jack shook his head, pulling his family into a tight embrace. “I don’t know, but it’s gone now.”

The rest of the night passed without incident, but the Hendersons couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. When morning came, they found the remnants of their shattered ornaments, but no sign of the malevolent visitor.

That Christmas, the Henderson's learned to cherish each other more deeply than ever. But they also learned to be cautious, for sometimes, the visitor who comes down the chimney is not bringing gifts, but something far darker.