Chapter 9
“Krampus!” I yelled, storming into the cave.
“Back so soon?” asked the beast, pausing his TV again as we entered into his main chamber. “What can I help you with this time?”
“How about you release Santa?” I asked.
“What, did Jack Frost accuse me of being the one who did it?” he scoffed. “Don’t fall for his tricks. It’s got to be him.”
“If that’s the case, I guess you wouldn’t mind me reaching into your bag, right?” I asked, walking over to it.
With surprising speed, Krampus jumped in between me and the bag.
“As I told you earlier, I’ve got enough coal to last me through the winter.”
“You know, I initially thought it couldn’t be you,” I said. “I thought it was too obvious that the scariest person in the North Pole did it. I even bought into your rant about justice, and how you and Santa were a team.”
“All of that is true,” he hissed.
“Really? Do you think it’s just to keep an innocent man trapped inside your bag?”
Krampus glared down at me, fists clinched. “You don’t want to push it, woman.”
“I’m not scared of you,” I said, taking a step towards him. That wasn’t completely true, but I figured it was worth a shot. To my surprise, Krampus took a step back.
“Jack Frost was too prideful to have tricked Santa and not bragged about it,” I said. “He would’ve wanted the whole North Pole to know that he had pranked him.”
“What about Blitzen?” asked Krampus quickly. “I heard he found Santa’s hat.”
“Blitzen stormed out here, but by his own admission I learned that the reindeer were prone to being dramatic. That included him, whether he likes it or not. When Santa came out to look for him, you must have been passing by. Upset with how you’ve been put on the back burner during Christmas, you must’ve figured now was your chance to be thrusted into the limelight again. Using the bag you used to snatch children in, you shoved Santa inside. In the commotion, Santa’s hat must have flown off. On his way back, Blitzen came across it, but tried to keep it a secret after Santa didn’t return. He knew it would make him look guilty.”
“Where you really messed up was the bag,” I continued. “You bluffed Bart earlier, telling him that if he checked the bag it would just give him coal. Unfortunately for you, when we went to the museum to check out the hat, Bart still wanted to get a gift from Santa’s actual bag.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the coal. “That’s when we got coal and switches. After finding out that you had multiple bags, it was clear to me that you must have captured Santa when he still had his bag, so you needed to put yours in its place.”
“Santa had his bag with him for some reason, so I had to sneak into town and put my other bag in its spot,” grumbled Krampus. “Good thing we got matching bags back in the 1400’s, but I guess it didn’t matter much.”
“Release Santa, or I’m getting the rest of the elves to come make you!” demanded Taradiddle, picking her foot up and spreading her arms out in a bizarre fighting stance.
“Calm down, pipsqueak,” sighed Krampus, walking over to the bag. “Your human friend here made a good point. If I’m so big on justice, I can’t really punish an innocent man. I thought the end would justify the means, but the more I think about it, the more I regret doing it in the first place.”
Krampus reached into the sack, pulling out a fat man dressed in all red and white.
“Santa…” I said in amazement. He was really there.
“It’s about time, Krampus, ho, ho, ho,” said Santa, dusting himself off. “I was starting to worry you weren’t going to let me out in time.”
“Look Santa… I’m sorry,” said Krampus, hanging his head low. “I shouldn’t have kept you in my bag. You’ve done nothing wrong, and for all this talk of justice, it was unjust of me to keep you like that.”
Santa looked the beast over, before resting his hand on Krampus’ shoulder. “It’s quite alright, my old friend. You could’ve stalled further with these people and truly ruined Christmas. You did the right thing by letting me go when you did. All is forgiven.”
“Really?” asked Bart. “Sorry to interrupt this nice moment, but the guy kept you in a bag for like a week.”
“Krampus is not to be punished for this,” said Santa, firmly shaking his head. “I believe that he is sorry, and accept his apology. I am indebted to the three of you, however. Especially you, Zoey Foster.”
“Y-You know who I am?” I blushed.
“Of course! Ho, ho, ho,” laughed Santa. “You were one of those always on the nice list. While I’d love to stay and talk, I’m unfortunately running low on time. I believe you are, as well.”
“Oh, that’s right!” I said. “Let’s get going!”
Leaving Krampus as Santa requested, we made our way out of the cave. To my surprise, we found Warren leaning against the entrance.
“Oh good, he let Santa go,” noted the warlock.
“How did you find us?” I asked. “Did you know it was Krampus all along?”
“Did I suspect that the big demon looking goat creature who used to kidnap children might have been the one to take Santa? Now, that’s just too far fetched,” smirked Warren.
“Why did you bring me here if you already knew who did it?” I asked.
“Truthfully, I didn’t know for sure,” he shrugged. “It isn’t always the person you most suspect, and I didn’t have the patience to sleuth around. You seem to have no problem doing it, though. I saw the three of you running through the North Pole on your way over here, and figured I’d follow in case you needed any backup. Looks like you didn’t.”
“I appreciate your help, Zoey and Warren, but I really need to get going,” said Santa, shaking both of our hands. “I’m already running late as it is!”
“Go ahead, I’ll finish up any business talk with your elves,” said Warren.
“Remember, nothing is to happen to Krampus. I’ll give him a stern talking to when I return, and that’ll be that,” said Santa, jogging back to the North Pole. “Have a merry Christmas! Ho, ho, ho!”
“Maybe he'll force Krampus to give kids presents they actually want as a punishment,” I smiled, looking down at Bart.
“No that would be a punishment for him,” nodded Bart. “Well, and the child.”
“I still expect payment, even though we aren’t arresting Krampus,” said Warren, turning to the elf.
“Of course,” nodded Taradiddle. “Santa wouldn’t have been released in time if it wasn’t for you bringing us Zoey!”
“Are we seeing any of this money, Warren?” asked Bart.
“Would you consider getting out of that sweater to be payment?”
“Not exactly, but I’ll take what I can get at this point.”
Taradiddle turned to me, bowing deeply. “Thank you so much! Without you, Christmas would’ve been ruined for children and adults all across the world.”
“I was happy to help,” I smiled, awkwardly bowing back.
“Thanks for your tips, too,” added the elf. “I’ll create an after action report of everything you did, so hopefully I’ll be able to become a better detective. The next time we meet, I’ll be able to help more!”
“You helped the perfect amount,” I said, hugging her goodbye. I turned around and looked at Warren.
“Ready to head back?” he smiled, clicking his fingers and opening a portal back to Twistchapel.
“Very,” I nodded, stepping through it.
Chapter 10
“Finally, that stupid thing is off me,” said Bart, looking down at his body. We were back in my office in Twistchapel. The portal closed after Bart made it through, so I took it that Warren was staying to collect whatever his payment was.
“I thought it looked nice,” I said, pulling out my phone to check the time. I had just enough time to rush home and change before Drake got there. “Let’s get going.”
I left my office, lo
cking the door behind me.
“Welcome back,” said Charline, watching me from her register.
“W-What do you mean?” I laughed nervously.
Welcome back? Did she know I was gone? Did she see us walk through the portal to the North Pole?
“You’ve been in your office all day,” said Charline, looking at me like I was crazy.
I let out a big sigh. That was a relief.
“You didn’t come out one time this whole day. I’ve got to say, Miss Foster, that I’m very impressed by your work ethic. So impressed, actually, that I’m going to write a comment card about you to upper management.”
“We don’t have comment cards,” I reminded her. “And I am the upper management.”
“I carry a stack of comment cards with me wherever I go,” she said, pulling a stack of papers about the size of index cards out of her purse. “That way, if I get very good or very bad service somewhere, I can let the managers know about it. I won’t lie to you, Miss Foster, but more often than not, it’s a negative review I’m leaving.”
“I hate so much about this woman,” groaned Bart.
“I look forward to reading your comments, Charline,” I smiled, heading for the the exit. “I hope you have a merry Christmas!”
“You too,” she said, scribbling away at the card.
I sped the whole way home, trying to make it before Drake showed up. I pulled into the drive way, flew open the gate on my fence, and dashed into my house.
“Drake’s pulling up right now,” advised Bart as he looked through a window in the front.
“Almost done!” I shouted, quickly grabbing my sparkling red dress from the closet. I had bought it just for the party and was hoping it would distract from my hair and makeup not really being on point.
Knock. Knock.
“Drake’s here,” called out Bart.
“Not helpful!” I whispered, jumping up and down to like a wild woman to zip up the back of my dress. I finally got the zipper on the fifth jump, and hurried to the door.
“Almost there!” I yelled as I struggled into my high heels and threw on my coat.
“Hey Drake, sorry about that,” I said, opening the door. Drake was wearing a black suit jacket, along with dress pants and nice shoes. I’d never seen him so dressed up before.
Drake let out a high pitched whistle.
“You look stunning,” he smiled. “It was worth the wait.”
“You don’t look too shabby yourself,” I smiled back, walking out and closing the door behind me.
We got into his car, which wasn’t very clean, although I could tell he put some effort in. We drove to Bridgette’s place while I asked him questions about his day. I had to lie and tell him how boring work was all day, but really wanted to tell him about how I met Santa. Maybe one day.
Drake knocked on the door once we arrived at Bridgette’s.
“So a pretty relaxed Christmas Eve, then?” he asked.
“I’m not sure if relaxed is quite the right word,” I said.
He looked confused, but the door opened up before he could ask about it.
“You guys made it!” cheered Bridgette, wrapping us up in a hug.
“I told you I wouldn’t miss it,” I smiled.
“You definitely were cutting it pretty close,” said Bart. I gave him a wink.
“Why don’t you go get yourself and Zoey a drink?” Bridgette said to Drake as we walked into the house.
“I get it, I get it,” he chuckled, walking away. “Need some girl time.”
“Thanks, Drake,” I smiled, watching him head to the bar.
“Poor guy, getting ordered around,” said Bart.
“How’s the party going?” I asked Bridgette, ignoring the cat.
“It’s been going well, although Dan’s been hitting the eggnog a little too hard, if you catch my drift,” she said.
“I think I do,” I laughed. Lowering my voice, I added, “I’ve got something pretty crazy to tell you about later.”
“About Drake?” she whispered back.
“No!” I blushed. “Let’s just say it involved Santa, his reindeer, and Jack Frost.”
“Are you serious?”
I nodded. “Plus, our little friend Bart was dressed in an ugly Christmas sweater the whole day.”
“Don’t tell people that!” hissed Bart. “I’ve got street cred to protect!”
“No way!” she squealed.
“What’s the matter?” asked Drake, returning with our drinks.
“Um, Zoey was just telling me about how much she loves, uh, our Christmas tree!” said Bridgette.
“It is a great tree,” agreed Drake. “I can’t imagine how long it took you two to put all the lights and decorations up. Where’s Dan, by the way?”
“Dan? He’s just over-NO DAN! Drop it!”
I looked over to see Dan ladling another healthy scoop of eggnog into his cup. Bridgette rushed over and swatted at his hand.
“Those two are something else,” chuckled Drake, handing me my drink.
“They really are,” I giggled back.
Drake wrapped his arm around me as we stared up at the lighted Christmas tree. I rested my head against his chest as I looked around the room at all the happy faces looking at the tree, too. To think, if I hadn’t agreed to go with Warren up to the North Pole, all of these people would’ve had a disappointing Christmas tomorrow.
What a crazy day.
The End.
The Twistchapel Cozy Mystery Series:
The Befuddled Butcher (Book 1)
Released September 2017
The Suspicious Spirit (Book 2)
Released October 2017
The Vexing Vampire (Book 3)
Released October 2017
The Problematic Pixie (Book 4)
Released November 2017
The Watchful Werewolf (Book 5)
Released December 2017
The Wrong Witch (Book 6)
Released December 2017
Twistchapel Cozy Holiday Shorts:
The Stolen Santa (Christmas Short)
Released November 2017
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Twistchapel Witch Cozy Mystery Box Set: Books 1-4 plus Christmas Short Page 30
