Page 4 of Trapped in the Christmas Cabin

“Soyou’re going to be watching us while we walk around?”Klausdidn’t sound happy about the idea.

“Froma distance,” the voice said.“Butyou will, of course, be given privacy in the cabin.Speakingof that, when you finish seeing the town, you only need to follow the lighted path to the one which has been prepared for you.”

“Thankyou—thank you so much,”Kellisaid, smiling politely.“Wecan’t wait to explore and see all the wonderful things you’ve made.”

“Ican wait,” she heardKlausgrumble behind her, but she ignored him.

“Wehope you have a wonderful experience,” the soft voice said to her.“Andnow we will withdraw to observe.Pleasedon’t forget to voice your thoughts aloud so that we may improve theChristmasVillagefor future guests.Wewill not speak to you again.”

Andthen the gold shimmering in the air abruptly disappeared andKelligot the feeling they were alone.

4

KLAUS

“Wellthat was fucking weird,”Klausgrowled as they continued walking to the entrance of the village.

“Ithink…think it’s nice,”Kellipanted.Shewas taking two steps to keep up with every one of his strides.Klausslowed down so she could keep up.

“Nicethat they’re watching us every minute?Nicethat they made a whole fucking village just to study us?”he demanded, lifting his eyebrows as he looked down at her.Shewas so tiny and her legs were so short.Hewished he could pick her up and carry her…but then he acknowledged that he couldn’t do that.Itmight give her the wrong idea and make her think he wanted her.

Butwouldn’t that be the right idea?whispered a little voice in his head.Klauspushed it away.

“Ithink it’s nice that they went to the trouble of making a whole village based on a holiday they never even celebrated,”Kellisaid stubbornly.“Socome on—let’s explore it and stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.”

“What?”Klausshook his head, honestly mystified.“Whatdoes that mean?Whywould someone give me an equine and why wouldIlook in its mouth?Forthat matter, why would it be a bath thing for me to look?Ifit’s my horse,I’lllook at whatever the fuck part of itIwant.”

“Nevermind.”Kellilaughed.“It’sjust anEarthsaying.Itmeans you shouldn’t criticize something that someone gives you for free.”

Klausstill had no idea what in the world not criticizing free gifts had to do with equines, butEarthidioms and sayings were often confusing.Mirandaused to try to explain them to him and she would always laugh when he got confused…

Hepushed the thoughts of his late wife aside and hurried to followKelli.Shehad run ahead of him and was looking at a large sign posted at the gates of the village.

Hestill didn’t like the idea of invisible inter-dimensional beings watching and listening to them, but he supposed it couldn’t be helped.Atleast they had been promised privacy in the cabin they were staying in tonight.

Thoughreally,Klausdidn’t see why they had to spend the night.Shouldn’ttouring the ridiculous village be enough?Maybehe could getKellito agree to leave after they finished the tour.Justlooking around the cabin and seeing the amenities should fulfill their obligations to theQuestarions.Theycould form an opinion without staying all night—right?

Klauscertainly hoped so.Hedidn’t need to be cooped up in a cabin all night withKelliand her sweet, feminine fragrance teasing him.

5

KELLI

“What’sthis?”Klausasked, coming up to stand beside her.

“Ithink it’s a map of the town—look.”Kellipointed at the signboard which was posted at the entrance of the town.Ithad miniature pictures of every single shop and business with their names written under them.

“TheMistletoeCouplesMassageParlor,”Klausread, frowning.

“Ohand look—TheGingerbreadBakery!”Kelliexclaimed.“AndMrs.Claus’sCafé.Thoselook like fun.AndRudolph’sHotChocolate, too.Andright in the center of the town is a lake—see?ItsaysFrosty’sIceSkatingPond.”

“Whatin theSevenHellsis theSugarPlumbFairyShop?”Klausasked.

“Idon’t know—let’s go find out.Comeon!”

Kelligrabbed his hand and pulled him forward, into theChristmasVillage.HerProtectorgrumbled but allowed himself to be pulled, which was good since he was so big there was no way she could have budged him if he didn’t want to go.Shewas so excited she would have gone without him, but she was glad she didn’t have to.

TheChristmasVillagewas absolutely magical.Fromabove she’d thought it looked like it belonged in theMidwestsomewhere—but now it seemed more likeNewEngland.Asthey walked through the streets, she could hear traditionalChristmassongs being played, though she couldn’t see any speakers.Thesongs were played at a tasteful volume too—not loud enough to make you irritated, which was nice.

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