Author's note: The character that show's up in Murky's flashback is a based on a character that appears in episode 25 of the German Series. However, I did change him to be the same species as Murky and his mom.
Anyways I hope you guys have fun reading this chapter. I really had fun writing this one
The cold night quietly passed. Light shined brightly though the windows of the cottage. Lurky woke up and rubbed his eyes as he yawned.
Gosh, today is going to be a big day. But I don't remember why.
As Lurky got up from the floor, he noticed that Murky was still asleep with his blanket wrapped around his body. Seeing Murky, Lurky suddenly realised why today was so important.
Lurky ran towards the couch, and quickly reached out his arms to shake Murky's shoulders.
"Murky, Murky! Get up, get up! Today is a big day!"
Murky yawned and turned to face the other side of the couch, "Be quiet, blabber mouth... I'm still tired…"
"But Murky, it's Christmas Eve! We get ready on Christmas Eve! C'mon, I'll tell you more at breakfast."
Lurky jolted to the kitchen and Murky slowly followed. Murky prepared oatmeal for them both. Lurky was swaying back and forth, humming Jingle Bells. He was so excited to tell Murky all about Christmas Eve.
Murky grumbled to himself as he stirred the pot of oatmeal. Murky frowned; he couldn't see why Lurky was so happy. He looked down into the pot and saw that the gray and lumpy oatmeal was bubbling. Murky turned off the stove and poured the oatmeal into two bowls. Murky grabbed two spoons and gave one of the bowls to Lurky and they took their seats at the table. Murky scooped up some oatmeal, and blew on it to cool it down.
"So Lurky, what is this 'Christmas Eve' that you keep yammering about?"
"Oh, it's a very special day, Murky. It's almost as special as Christmas Day itself!" Lurky took a spoonful of strawberry jam and stirred the spoon in his bowl of oatmeal. Then, Lurky eagerly dug up some oatmeal with his spoon and put it in his mouth.
"Be…cause… Christ…mas Eve is whe…n…" He paused to gulp down his food. "Santa Claus comes to visit!" Murky raised his eyebrows.
"Wait a second. I heard those Colour Brats talk about this 'Santa Claus' guy before, but why would he want to visit us?
"Well Murky, let me explain! By the end of the day you will know everything about Santa Claus."
Murky stirred his spoon around and grumbled.
"Well you see Murky, everyone has a present or wish that they want from Santa. On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus makes these wishes come true by putting presents under the Christmas tree. When everyone wakes up on Christmas Day, that's when they will see their presents!"
Murky suddenly paused, with his spoon halfway to his mouth.
"But Santa Claus only gives presents or grants wishes if they've been good all year round!"
Murky dropped his spoon. It landed in the bowl. Lurky eyes widen when he noticed that Murky was not aware that he had dropped his spoon.
"Um, Murky… your spoon is sinking into your oatmeal…"
Murky shook his head.
"Of course I knew that, strawberry jam breath. I'm still tired from yesterday, that's all!"
Murky took his spoon and continued eating his oatmeal. He wanted to finish it quickly so he could get away from this awkward situation. Unlike Lurky, Murky was anything but exicited for Christmas Eve, so getting away from Lurky would be for the best. Murky stood up from his chair and burped.
"Ah, that was a good breakfast. Now if you'll excuse me, I got some more reading to do."
Lurky leaped out of his chair. "And I got something important to do, too!"
Murky hesitantly peeked out of the kitchen door and watched Lurky wrap the Christmas Tree with black and white tinsel. Murky bit his lip. He wanted to ask Lurky something that was bothering him since he told him about Santa Claus, but he was too nervous. Murky gulped and looked around the room. Then Murky put his fist against his chest and smirked. There's nothing to be nervous about, it's just Lurky after all! He walked towards Lurky with a confident strut, trying to make sure that Lurky wouldn't know how nervous he was.
"Lurky!"
Lurky turned around while he was putting up an ornament.
"What is it, Murky?"
Murky pointed at Lurky and grinned.
"It's just that I have a question about Santa Claus that I was hoping you could answer."
Lurky started jumping up and down.
"Oh, goody! I think I can give you a good answer! I know what all there needs to known about Santa Claus!"
"Yeah, whatever…" Murky grunted. Then, he grinned. "My question is… if all the good people get presents from Santa, then what does Santa give the people who've been bad all year round?"
"Hmmm…" Lurky took a stocking that was lying by the fireplace and hung it on the wall. "Well, Santa gives those people coal in their stockings, like this one here," said Lurky as he pointed at the stocking he just hung up.
"Oh, good. That doesn't sound like a bad present to me! It's colourless and it can be useful for my schemes. Personally, I won't mind finding coal in my stocking."
Lurky frowned.
" But, Murky; everyone wants presents for Christmas because Santa can bring you anything you want."
Murky raised his eyebrows.
"Anything?"
"Yes! Anything, Murky!"
Murky looked down and frowned.
"I doubt it…"
Lurky sighed and his antennae drooped as he watched Murky leave the living room. Murky went to the lounge to lay on the couch. He picked up a book from the floor.
"I really doubt it…." Murky started reading the book, ignoring everything else around him.
The rest of the day went slowly. Lurky continued to prepare for Santa Claus. The milk, cookies and the carrots for the Reindeer were placed on the table. The stockings were lined up above the fireplace, and the fireplace was kept unlit to ensure Santa arrived at the Sprite Home safely. Murky, on the other hand, spent his day reading, hoping to forget the conversion he had with Lurky.
However, Murky and Lurky both became hungry. Murky grew so hungry that he couldn't focus on reading. He went to the kitchen and prepared some tomato soup and bread for the two to eat. That night, at dinner, Murky remembered an old memory that he thought he buried a long time ago.
"It's almost done! It's almost done!"
Murky let go of his pencil and stared at his chicken scratch writing.
"There it's perfect!" Murky grabbed the letter and folded it into a small square. Then he got up from his chair and walked away from the desk. Murky then skipped towards his bed but paused to look out the window. He saw a beautiful star shinning in the cold, quiet night. Murky kneeled down to the floor, cupped his hands to together and gazed at the lone star.
"Please, Winter Sprit… or if there's anyone else out there… please make him come back, just for the First Winter's Day. I never get a chance to see him because Mom says that he's always busy. But if the First Winter's Day can make any wish come true, then please make-"
Suddenly, Murky heard the sound of footsteps approaching his room. Murky got up from the floor and quickly put the folded piece of paper under his pillow. Murky tucked himself to bed and watched the door slowly open.
"Murkwell, are you ready for bed?"
"Yes, mom."
Ms. Dismal walked to her son's bedside and patted his head, "That's good. And you did all by yourself this time, too." Murky gave his mom a slight smile. "So Murkwell, are you excited for the First Day of Winter?"
Murky excitedly sat up from his bed, "Uh huh; I can't wait to try out sledding! I'm old enough to sled by myself! You said so, yourself!"
Ms. Dismal chuckled as she tucked Murky back into bed, "Yes, but don't go on those big hills okay? I don't want you to get yourself hurt!"
"Okay mom…" Murky sighed.
"That's a good boy." Ms. Dismal gave Murky a kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight, Murkwell."
"Goodnight, Mom."
Ms. Dismal walked out of the bedroom. She held the bedroom doorknob, slowly closing the door. Before the door fully closed, Murky sat up from his bed once again.
"Mom!"
Ms. Dismal stopped closing the door and stepped into the bedroom.
"What is it, Murkwell?"
"Do all the First Winter Wishes come true?"
Before she could answer, Murky heard Lurky's faint voice and the memory started to fade away.
"Murky! Oh, Murky!"
"Gah! What?" Murky looked around the room quickly.
"Murky… you dropped your spoon again."
"Oh! I knew that!" Murky picked up his spoon and continued eating his tomato soup.
"Umm Murky, is there something wrong. You've been spacing out since we've been eating dinner."
Murky gulped his soup and looked back at Lurky.
"No, I'm fine! Just fine…"
Lurky said nothing. Murky stared at his tomato soup and stirred it. Murky no longer had the appetite to eat, but at the same time, he couldn't let Lurky know what was brothering him. Murky took his spoon slurped the soup loudly. When he was done, Murky made a fake burp sound and stood up from his chair.
"Ahhh. I'm so full; I don't think I can eat anymore." Murky glanced at Lurky. "I'll just go to the couch and read some more. You can take my leftovers; I don't want them."
"Sure, Murky. This tomato soup is so tasty!"
Murky left the kitchen and entered the lounge. Murky put on his coat that was lying on the floor and sat down on the couch.
"Thank goodness that Lurky is so gullible," he sighed in relief. "I don't have to think too much to get him off my back." Murky picked up his book from the floor and continued to read where he left of, trying to forget all about the painful memory.
Later that night, Lurky walked into the lounge and let out a loud yawn. Then, Lurky lay down on the floor and wrapped himself up in the sleeping bag. Murky dropped his book onto his chest and looked down at him.
"What are you doing, sleeping so early at night? It's not even midnight!"
Lurky rubbed his eyes.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you… Santa Claus doesn't come if you're awake at mid-night." Lurky yawned again. "So it's best if we sleep early tonight, you know."
Murky grumbled, took the candle and blew it out. Murky turned to face the other side of the couch, trying to sleep. But before Lurky closed his eyes, he remembered that he had something important to ask Murky. It was a question that he wanted to ask ever since he met him, but never had the opportunity to.
"Um, Murky?" Lurky reached out his arms and shook Murky's shoulders.
"Not now, kiwi brain. I'm trying to sleep!"
"But Murky, it's something important."
Murky turned to face Lurky, looking irritated.
"What is it this time?!"
Lurky flinched for a second. Then he gathered up his courage and asked:
"You first learned about Christmas when you moved to Rainbowland, right?"
"Yeah…So what?!"
"So, did your home planet have a holiday like Christmas?"
Murky looked up to the ceiling sober look on his face.
"There is one holiday we celebrated that was sort of like Christmas. It was called First Winter's Day." Then Murky sighed. "All the children are expected to write letter telling the night sky what they wish for. It can be anything like a gift or for something that more personal like getting along with your siblings for the day. You folded your letter and hid it under your pillow. The winter spirit was supposed to grant those wishes on the First Day of Winter…"
Lurky clapped his hands.
"Wow! That sounds like fun!"
Murky ignored Lurky's comment and continued, "But the truth is, your parents read those letters and then they set up the day to seem like the Winter Spirit did it…."
"Oh….well….I guess it can still be fun..." Lurky fiddled with his fingers, not sure on what to say to cheer Murkys up.
"Well, it wasn't! There's nothing fun about that stupid holiday!" Murky furiously turned to face the other side of couch again.
"Okay, Murky… Goodnight and … Happy Christmas Eve…."
Lurky lay quietly on the cold hardwood floor. Lurky was at a lost on how to cheer up his friend. Murky often lost his temper, but this time, Murky was really hurting inside. Lurky wanted to say the first cheery thing that came to his mind, but he was afraid that it would make things worse. Maybe things will be better on Christmas Day, Lurky thought to himself. Then he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
As for Murky, he clutched at his blanket, shivering. Not even his oversized coat could keep him warm during the cold winter night. Murky closed his eyes, trying his best to fall asleep. But no matter how hard Murky closed his eyes, he couldn't sleep. Even though the room was silent, he couldn't relax. Suddenly, the memories that he tried so hard to forget returned.
Murky looked out of the window and watched the snow gently fall to the ground. Everything was covered in snow, which made the world outside look so bare and vast. Murky could not believe the scenery could change so much overnight.
"It's the First Winter! It's the First Winter!" Murky sprinted down stairs. He hastily grabbed his winter coat from its clothes hanger. He zipped up his coat, ran to the living room and leaped onto the couch so he could peek out the window. Murky's paid special attention whenever anyone walked on the sidewalk by their home.
"Murkwell, Breakfast is ready!"
"But Mom, he's going to be here any minute"
"Murkwell, I don't want your breakfast getting cold! No one likes cold bacon and eggs!"
Murky didn't answer. He continued looking through the window, watching everyone passing by.
Time passed and Murky was still sitting on the couch, silently watching.
Ms. Dismal walked into the room, with her arms crossed.
"Murkwell, I put your breakfast away because it was getting cold. Why didn't you go eat your breakfast first before you go outside and play? You don't want to spend your entire First Winter looking outside! It would be a waste of such a beautiful day." Murky looked at his mom and frowned.
"But Mom, Dad has to come back, just for the day! I wanted him to watch me sled down the hills at the park, all by myself." His voice trembled as he spoke.
Mrs. Dismal put her hand on Murky's shoulder.
"But sweetie, your father is working very hard to support us. He might not be able to make it."
Murky brushed his mom's hand away from him and yelled.
"But Mom, Dad's worked hard enough! And plus, you said that all wishes came true on The First Day of Winter!"
Ms. Dismal glared at her son, "now, Murkwell! I said that all wishes came true some shape or form and I didn't say they all happened on the First of Winter!"
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
"He's here!" Murkwell leaped off the couch and ran out of the living room. Ms. Dismal sighed and shook her head. She followed her son and watched him eagerly open the door. Murky looked up with a smile but as soon as he saw who it was, his smiling face became blank. The tall figure waved at Murky.
"Hiya, sport. Long time, no see!"
Ms. Dismal put her hand on her mouth.
"Oh Freddy I didn't know that you would have the time to visit us!"
"Well, I don't have a lot of time to be completely honest. My folks want me to stay over for the holidays. I just stopped by to give Murkwell a little present!" Freddy reached for his bag, took out a box and gave it to Murky. "There you go, sport; it's a toy model plane kit for beginners!" He point at the box and explained: "You can paint it any colour you want and put all kinds of stickers on it like flames or thunder bolts to make it look really cool. Since you like creating stuff, I thought you would like it!"
Ms. Dismal smiled.
"It's a lovely gift, Freddy. I'm sure Murkwell will love it!" She turned over to Murky and whispered: "Murkwell, say thank you to Freddy."
"Um… Thank you, Freddy…."
Freddy patted Murky's head, and walked out the door. "Have a nice First Winter's!"
Ms. Dismal stepped out of the door.
"Wait, Freddy!"
"What is it, Ms. Dismal?" Freddy said, turning back.
"When Murkwell returns to school, I'll be working afternoons for a whole week. You wouldn't mind looking after him for me, would you?"
"Oh, it's no problem at all!" Freddy looked back at Murky and waved again, "See you after the Holiday's, Murkwell!"
Murky waved back at Freddy and before he knew it, he was gone. The rest of the day was a blur to Murky. All he could associate with this day was the bitter disappointment that his Dad never showed up on that First Winter's Day.
Murky, looked at around the dark room. All he could hear was Lurky's loud snoring. Murky got out from the couch and sneaked out of the lounge, making sure that he didn't wake up Lurky. Murky climbed up the stairs slowly, making sure the wooden flooring didn't squeak.
He opened the door and entered the Bedroom. Murky looked around the room and walked towards the small table. From the desk, he took his small box and walked towards the corner of the room. In that corner, Murky sat down and began to slowly open the box. As he did, rainbow colours began to light up a small portion of that dark room. The colours made Murky's head hurt to the point that he started to feel a little nauseous. But in spite of the headache, Murky did not feel frustrated by seeing those colours. Instead, he felt at peace. Never in his life did he feel two conflicting feeling at once. He continued to gaze at his box of Star Sprinkles until his eyes slowly closed and he drifted off to sleep.
