Fright Christmas Read Free

One of Santa’s stupid elves. Someone.
    Oh, I get it! They know I’m in here, I realized. They’re trying to teach me a lesson or something dumb like that.
    â€œCome on, you guys!” I yelled. “Please. Let me out of here! Now!”
    No reply.
    I grabbed the doorknob and pulled with all my strength.
    â€œHelp!” I screamed. “Help!”
    I twisted the knob. Then I pulled again, as hard as I could.
    â€œLet me out of here!” I shouted.
    No one answered my calls. I backed away from the door, wondering what to do next.
    That’s when I heard the sizzling sounds.
    I gazed around the room. I couldn’t tell what was making that noise.
    Then, suddenly, the hum in the room grew louder.
    And the floor began to vibrate.
    My legs shook hard.
    The humming grew louder. Louder. It filled the room now, shrill and strong. It seemed to come at me from every direction, all at once.
    The floor quaked under my feet.
    I started to lose my balance.
    Started to slam into the control panel—when the door slowly swung open.

4

    I grabbed onto the control panel and caught my balance.
    I stared at the door.
    It swung open some more. A pale red light glowed through the opening.
    I staggered toward the door on shaky legs.
    â€œWhat took you so long?” I demanded as I stepped outside. “Something crazy was going on in that room!”
    Huh?
    No one stood outside the door.
    The toy department sat in silence. Except forthe dull red glow from the exit signs, it was totally dark.
    As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I glanced around. In the shadowy light, I could make out the outline of Santa’s Village.
    In the glow of the red light, Santa Street looked eerie—like a miniature Fear Street. The deserted end of Fear Street. The part with the abandoned mansions. The mansions that people say are haunted.
    I live on Fear Street. I have to admit it—the mansions do look kind of creepy. But haunted—come on! How could anyone really believe in ghosts?
    I took a step forward.
    â€œHey!” I shouted. “Anybody here?”
    My voice echoed back to me.
    I took a few more steps. My sneakers squeaked on the marble floor.
    I stood perfectly still and listened. All I heard was my own heart beating. Really loud.
    Then I heard something else.
    I held my breath. What was it?
    It sounded like—bells.
    Sleigh bells. Louder now. Coming closer—from Santa’s Village.
    I took a few steps through the village gate.
    â€œHey, is someone there?” I yelled.
    Footsteps. Slow and heavy.
    I squinted in the darkness. I saw something move—down by Santa’s sleigh.
    I could make out a shadow now—the shadow of a man. A man sitting in Santa’s sleigh.
    He stood up and stepped out of the sleigh.
    Even in the shadows I could tell he was big. And tall. He walked slowly down Santa Street—right toward me.
    â€œWho’s there?” I shouted. “Who is it?” My voice squeaked a little.
    The man didn’t answer.
    He came closer.
    I heard his heavy shoes scrape the floor.
    And with every step he took, I heard the faint sound of jingling bells.
    Barely breathing, I stood there and watched him. Now I could make out his fur-trimmed red coat and red pants.
    Joe!
    Joe—still wearing his big white beard. Didn’t he ever take that thing off?
    â€œHey, did you unlock that door for me?” I called out to him.
    He shrugged. “Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t.”
    â€œGive me a break, Joe.” I rolled my eyes at him. “It sure took you long enough,” I complained. “I yelled my head off in there. Didn’t you hear me?”
    â€œI’m a busy guy tonight,” Joe replied. “Tonight’s the big night.”
    â€œAll right. All right. You’re still mad at me for pulling your beard off,” I said sarcastically. “You wanted to teach me a lesson, right?”
    Joe walked up to me and stared down into my eyes. He