Page 3 of Christmas Eve with Krampus

Seriously.

I’m expected to survive three full days—December 23rd, December 24th, and December 25th… Christmas day itself—with only a single piece of fruit.

Good thing I’ve done some research on this part of Europe. From what I understand, Blackmoor is set near the borders where three different countries meet, but my impression on its location helped me look into the local flora and fauna. There will have to be something in there for me to forage—berries, maybe, or mushrooms—and if there isn’t?

It won’t be fun, going hungry for three days, but I can do it.

I can do anything.

And I prove it by shaking my head, sending my loose hair—because, oh no, I’m not allowed my usual ponytail in the forest—over my shoulders before I totter forward on my high heels.

Three council members are standing at my back. I spare a quick glance at them. Sandra is one. The other is a grey-haired man with water green eyes who never introduced himself, though he seems like he’s the head of the council. The third is a dark-skinned man about my age who is biting his inner cheek, brow furrowed as if debating whether he should stop me or not.

He could try. I’m stubborn enough that I’d thank him for his concern, but I’d never listen.

Ah, well, Josie. Here goes nothing.

The trees are a dark line stretched out along the edge of the small town of Blackmoor. Despite it being a little after dawn on the 23rd, the hazy, bright winter sun almost blinding when I look behind me, there are nothing but shadows and warning as I grip the orange and take the first few steps into the forest.

The rules are clear. To simply cross into the forest, park my ass, and wait out my time… that would be cheating. In order to get my wish, I have to earn it. That means heading far enough into the woods to allow the magic to test my mettle. To see if I’m worth of its gift.

I’m not afraid. What’s the worst that can happen? I die? I accepted that possibility the second I discovered that, of the last hundred petitioners, only four walked back out of the woods again when their time was up. Four. No wonder that one council member seemed hesitant to say something. He’s probably tired of watching idiots sacrifice themselves to the monsters.

So maybe I’m a dead girl walking. It’s not like I have anything to go back for anyway. But, to me, walking again without pain… that’s worth the risk. Even with my crap insurance, it would run me forty grand to replace my hip. Considering my age and the fact that the lifespan of the new hip joint would only be ten to fifteen years, I’d likely need to have two more at least. I’m already starting to feel pain in my groin, too, as the blood supply to my formerly fractured hip is starting to be lost.

I’m twenty-six. I just want to still be on my feet when I’m forty without drowning in medical debt.

Honestly? With the state of healthcare in the US the way it is, pinning all of my hopes on a wish is probably my best bet.

CHAPTER 2

DECEMBER 23

The adrenaline coursing through me keeps me warm enough for the first few hours. That, plus the way the closely-grown trees do their best to block out the worst of the chilly wind. It’s dark in here, though. The ground beneath me is hard and frozen, with a crust of icy snow nearly everywhere I go. Whenever a stray beam of sunlight peeks through, I notice parts of it are trampled.

My heart drops whenever I see paw prints, either from super big dogs or maybe even wolves. It jolts when the prints don’t look human or animal, but some unholy mix of the two.

Is it any surprise that I stop looking down, instead focusing on where the hell I’m going?

I have a plan. It seemed like a good one when I first was told I’d been picked to enter the dark forest, and even if I don’t have my thermal clothes, my coat, or my pack full of necessities, it’s the only plan I have so I stick to it.

I need shelter. The clauses in the contract said that I couldn’t plop down just inside of the first and wait, but if I can find somewhere else to shield me so that I can stay warm, stay safe, and avoid any monsters? Well, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Now, do I expect to be like Goldilocks and find a cozy little cabin where I can squat for three days? Of course not. But a cave would be nice, or a lean-to that will keep me out of the elements in case I’m looking at a white Christmas.

Can you imagine? I’ve spent the last five Christmases at work because I was no contact with my dad’s new family and spending the holidays with my bitter, betrayed mom was rough. This is the first time I’m doing something for me this time of year in longer than I can remember, and even if it’s spent in a mythical forest while I drag this heavy dress everywhere I go, the kid in me loves the idea of seeing snow on Christmas Day.

Let’s just hope I don’t have to deal with it for the twenty-third or Christmas Eve first…

So far, so good. The weather seems milder than I expected, and I take that as a sign the woods are welcoming me. I haven’t run across any monsters, either, and though I’m noticing that the stray sunbeams are becoming less and less frequent as the day passes, there aren’t any conveniently placed landmarks that I could use as a makeshift shelter.

I’ll find one. My gut is sure I will, and if there’s anyone in this world I trust, it’s me.

It’s just… it’s taking longer than I’d like.

Frustration seeps in as the wind picks up. Goosebumps erupt along my skin. My teeth chatter so hard, I nearly clip the side of my tongue, but I duck my chin to my chest, ignoring the way my loose hair is getting in my face.

And that’s when the wind whistles past me, carrying a sound with it.

---