'The Wish'

By the time the rig had awoken her, he was nearly on his way back to the rooftop.

The feeding happened much faster than she anticipated. In an instant, he had devoured three dozen figs, and with one gulp each, swallowed ten large mugfuls of cider that she left atop the mantle.

As she looked from behind the cracked bedroom door, she couldn't help but notice how large he was, much larger than she ever heard or imagined; less than a foot from the ceiling in height, wider than the fireplace itself.

"How does he do it? Did I leave him enough?"

He placed something into her stocking, but left nothing beneath the tree.

He then fluffed the crumbs from his colorless beard, wiped spiced amber droplets from his lips with the cuff of his coal-sodden coat, outstretched his arms, leaned back at the waist, and with a slap like a drum beat upon his overstuffed belly, released a long earthshaking belch that stoked the fire's dying flames. In that brief moment, she saw her chance.

She was stuck wearing only the thermals she had fallen asleep in. No time to grab the boots or gloves. No time for a coat. It was either now, or never again. Without hesitation, she dove into his toy sack unnoticed.

He was ready; clinched the bag with one hand, then placed his other on the hearth, repeated one word three times in a boisterous chant, and they were up and off into the night.

Outside, above the clouds, her body stung from the piercing pins and needles of the sharp winter wind. She tried her best to use the endless supply of wrapped gifts to shield herself from the icy gusts that made their way into the massive magical pouch. But, not even the thick hand carved walls of the ancient wooden sleigh could block the cold from reaching her tiny hands and feet. At this hour, at this speed, in this part of the world, wherever they were, she could certainly freeze to death in no time. She was, in fact, freezing.

As she began to lose consciousness, his chant suddenly stopped. She heard him begin to cough and gasp in a panic. The toxins inside his stomach had reached his bloodstream, and were spreading to his heart. This was what she needed to give her strength.

"It's working."

As she climbed out from the satchel, she saw him flailing desperately. He couldn't steer his vessel anymore.

Up ahead, she could see his trusty drivers, too. They were calling to him frantically, seeking his command. The incredible beasts looked horrified as they flew erratically. Their cries were terrifying; they were lost. But he could no more yell out to them by their names, than he could keep the air in his lungs to breathe.

As the ship began to shake apart piece by piece, and the chains that bound his steeds began to break away, the bright red light that lead the rest veered off and quickly disappeared into the snowy night. They were going down, and fast.

She gathered the last bit of energy she had left, and leaped onto the seat beside him. She would make one single demand in exchange for an antidote: a wish not even he could refuse; not now.

So, she grabbed him by the thick hair on his face, two handfuls worth for each fist, and screamed at him as loud as she could…

"I'VE ALWAYS BEEN GOOD, SAINT NICHOLAS!!! BUT YOU NEVER GRANT ME MY WISH!!! SO I'LL TRADE YOU WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THIS VIAL TONIGHT, IF YOU BRING BACK MY BROTHER TO LIFE!!!"

His eyes rolled back into his head as tears rolled down his flushed cheeks. While he took her by the waist and gently placed her onto his lap, he leaned forward slightly, their faces nearly touching now. He tilted her head and she heard him whisper into her ear through one final breath…

"Dear child, we both shall greet him together."