~Chapter 4: Welcome Child~

Max stiffened as Krampus slowly lifted himself up to a standing position and turned around in order to face his new assistant. Max's brown eyes widened...This was what he really looked like...The face was like that of...some demonic goat in dark fur, but at the same time, seemed humanoid in quite a few ways.

The child swallowed nervously, unable to speak. But after a few moments, he managed to find his voice. "I..I-I am…"

"Mhm...Are you hungry at all?"

"N-No…" The boy lied, not wishing to eat anything this...monster gave him. And of course his stomach betrayed him by growling loudly.

"Of course you aren't." Krampus snorted, getting up and walking towards the child. At first, Max flinched, thinking the demon would hurt him or something, but instead he just walked past him and to the door. The 12 year old didn't follow at first, but once he gazed around the room once more, he realized that going with Krampus would be much better then being among the unfinished toys, eerie smiles and glassy eyes all aimed at him.

He quickly rushed after the hooved creature. "H-Hey! Wait up!"

"Today I want you to help fix and wash the toys that were injured-"

"W-Wait! What was that r-room? What were those snow globes?"

"-then I want you to help Elves prepare dinner-"

"Hold o-on, We need to tal-"

"-once you finish with that, you must wash my cloak, then you shall be assigned to your room for the night."

"STOP!"

Krampus stopped in his foot...hoofsteps and turned slightly in order to look at the child, clearly annoyed at the way he was speaking to his new master. "Watch your tongue child…" He warned. Max frowned, a small sigh escaping his lips. "I just want to know what all this is…"

"...You will know when I want you to know, child. You must prove yourself to me before that." The demon replied simply, turning forward to begin to walk again. "Now hurry and finish your chores. You need rest as soon as possible. The marking ritual will begin tomorrow."

"Marking ritual? What-?"

"Do you not recall what I just told you?"

"..." Max was silent and turned his gaze to the ground. He could already tell this was going to be horrible. This was practically hell itself. The curly haired boy followed his new master silently as he led him to one of the rooms and simply left him there. The inside was almost what Max would describe as some old fashioned pet hospital. About three Elves were in the room, working on healing and cleaning a familiar teddy bear, angel doll, robot, and a few gingerbread men. Max swallowed nervously when the bear snarled at him in remembrance as he approached the closest Elf. "What do I need to do…?" The Elf glanced at him with a tilted head, then silently pointed to what Max assumed was one of the baths.

Inside was a grotesque creature, with a long, fat tail with a music box on the end, and a clown like face with a split lower jaw and a jester hat. It's tail wagged excitedly. Der Klown was ready for a bath.

~End Chapter 4~