Author's Note: This takes place in 1886 (three years before the strike). Skittery is fourteen, Mush is thirteen, and Rachel is eight.

It was a typical Christmas Eve at the Lodging House. Everyone went out and sold that day, but the night was theirs. Kloppman had the place decorated and had everyone add to his work. He had also spent all day cooking sugar cookies and gingerbread for everyone, and they ate the sweets sitting around a fire. It was like a small party.

Christmas Day brought a special feast by the Children's Aid Society. All were invited, but only as long as they were boys. The small Christmas Eve gathering was the time when the girls came to the Lodging House (since Kloppman was given no such orders to dictate the attendance). Everyone would go. And if they didn't, it was because they had some reason (whether or not it was actually truthful).

Skittery was an exception to that untold rule. As the people arrived, he would put on his coat and exit. Without a single word or explanation. People had asked, but after a few tries, knew better than to ask. It had become like a fun little game to the boys to try to figure out what he was up to.

"Hey Skitts, where ya goin'?" Mush would ask every year.

"Out," Skittery would reply sharply, closing the door tightly behind him.

It was a yearly ritual, and Racetrack joked that it was, "A free moving picture with the best quality known to this generation. Sound and color!" It was his little game to make fun of the situation.

One year was different though. It was Skittery's sixth Christmas Eve at the Lodging House and he had planned on continuing his annual tradition of skipping the party. Of course, that time, it didn't happen.

Skittery sat in the common room, relaxing until it was time to go. A few people were already there, but he wasn't going to leave just yet. There was noise, but he just blocked it out. It was snowing outside, and the streets were turning dark. Everything felt still. There were strings of garland, and colorful flowers, and tinkling bells. The candles glowed brightly. Everything looked so pretty. Then it started to get more crowded. More people came.

Among the guests was little Rachel Myers, Mush's sister. She was smiling as she walked in, excited for the party, (though still shivering from the cold). She was wearing a big, oversized, brown coat and handed it back to her brother. "Thanks for letting me borrow your jacket." Her curly brown hair was sopping wet, but she proudly wore her new dress. It was thick and warm, with a red plaid pattern and cute bow in the back. It was a nice change from her usual attire, and she felt extra pretty that night.

Skittery headed towards the door and tripped, spilling the contents of his bag onto the floor. Rachel could catch a glimpse of some artwork and slips of paper with messy writing. But before getting a good look, Skittery had scooped it back up.

"Guys it's freezing out there," Mush laughed through his chattering teeth. Sure enough, through the window, Skittery could see a small blizzard. It was a good thing the girl's lodging house wasn't too far away, or Mush could've died of hypothermia. The weather wasn't concerning to Skittery though. It hadn't been too bad in the morning, and it was't the first time he had seen such a storm. He knew it was bound to go away soon. Besides, it wasn't the first Christmas he was cooped up inside for a little while longer, it wasn't a big deal. He just decided to move upstairs.

Racetrack, Blink, and Jack followed him. They knew he wouldn't be up there too long, and thought he could use the company. They got to the bunkroom, careful not to shut the door all the way (the knob on the inside was broken). They heard the sound of knuckles popping, and found Skittery on his bed. When he noticed them, he climbed down onto the bottom bunk. The boys sat scattered on the floor, and Racetrack took out some beer.

Twenty minutes later, the party was still in full swing. People were talking, everyone enjoyed the hot chocolate, and it wasn't too rowdy or crowded. It had a pleasant and nice feel without being too boring. Rachel was meeting one of Crutchy's friends when the subject of Skittery somehow popped up.

"Crutchy's known Skittery for much longer, but he and Jack are a lot closer," the girl said.

"Where are they anyway?"

"Oh just upstairs," Crutchy replied. "I saw them earlier."

Rachel gave a slight grin. She had never talked to Skittery before, and now she had a chance. She was interested in meeting the mysterious boy that happened to disappear every Christmas Eve. "Thanks, bye!" She bounded up the stairs and Mush, making sure she wasn't in any trouble, did the same.

Unfortunately, she wasn't aware of the broken doorknob, and let the door slam shut. "No!" the boys shouted.

"What?" Rachel was confused, and turned around to see what was going on. Realizing the error of her mistake, she gave a quick "oops," blushed, and mumbled an apology.

Jack and Mush lightly hit the door a few times, hoping to get someone's attention from downstairs. When no one answered, they slammed the door a lot harder, and everyone screamed, "Hey! We're stuck in here! Can someone help!" But still, no one came.

"Well that settles it. We're stuck," Skittery declared, taking a swig from his third drink.