I glanced around the mall. Everything was brightly decorated, with colorful lights and tinsel hanging from the ceiling and toys and ornaments perched on every counter I could see. Cheery music rang in the background. It was like that everywhere I went around this time, which was a rarity for the usually dull and gloomy town. It was only around Christmas that things were so colorful. It was just a shame my family couldn't afford any of it.

"Max, look at this!" My sister Ashley tugged my arm, pulling me over to a shelf of miniature Christmas trees. They all had in-built lights that glistened like baubles in the artificial pine leaves. "Do you think we can get one?"

"We already have one at home, Ash," I reminded.

"But it's so boring," Ashley complained. "It's nothing like the Christmas trees everyone else have. There's no tinsel, or even a fairy on top. It might as well be a regular tree."

I knew she was right, but we were lucky enough to even have that. Ever since Dad left, Mom struggled to have enough money for Christmas.

"Hurry up, you two," Mom called. She wasn't shopping for Christmas, like the rest of us. She had already done that when she bought our Christmas tree, which was the extent of it. Now she was just shopping like usual. I didn't know why she had to do that right now when the mall was so crowded, or bring us with her. It was just inviting Ashley to gaze at everything she knew we couldn't afford.

Ashley and I hurried to catch up with Mom. On the way, Ashley caught sight of a shelf of large, soft dolls. She picked one of them up, forgetting all about the Christmas trees. She had a collection of them, and was always looking for new ones.

Mom turned to us. "Oh, there you are."

"Mom, can I have this?" Ashley pleaded, holding the doll close.

"For the last time, no," Mom snapped, pulling away. "You know we're only here to buy groceries. It's much too large, and you already have enough of them."

Ashley pouted while placing the doll back. "But what about one of those Christmas trees? They're tiny. They wouldn't take up too much space." She scowled. "But they're still nicer than the one we have at home."

"We were lucky enough to have that," Mom snapped. "You won't have any toys if you keep asking."

"But Santa will bring them, won't he?" Ashley asked. "I asked for an entire list of things. He should bring at least a few."

I rolled my eyes. Ashley still believed in Santa. She was seven, five years younger than me. Mom exchanged looks with me. She clearly worried about letting Ashley down.

"Er, yes, that's right," Mom agreed. "He'll already bring enough for you, so why do you keep asking me?" She looked guilty after saying it. "You don't see your brother complaining."

"It's just hard not to," Ashley insisted. "Everyone else has tons of presents. I bet we won't have that many." She glanced around sullenly. "They can probably buy as many things as they want, and we can't buy anything."

Mom hesitated. She took a few dollars out of her pocket and gave them to Ashley. "Buy yourself something with this," she instructed.

Ashley stared at her in surprise. "Really?"

Mom nodded. "It isn't much, so it'll be just enough for you to buy something small. Just don't wander off too far." She glanced at me. "Actually, maybe you should go with her, Max."

She gave me a look, and I realized she wanted to buy presents for Ashley without her noticing it wasn't Santa. I knew she felt bad about not being able to buy enough for us, even if she didn't always act like it.

"I'll stay with you, Mom," I offered. "Ashley will spend ages staring at everything." I glanced over at Ashley who was examining the shelf of dolls, carefully picking each one up before placing it down.

"I'm sure she'll be able to decide eventually," Mom insisted. To my surprise, she took a few more dollars out and handed them to me. "Buy something for yourself as well."

"What?" I exclaimed. "I don't really want anything."

"Then get something to eat," Mom suggested. "Keep an eye on your sister, and return back here when you're done."

Before I could protest, she had turned and left. I had a feeling she wanted to get rid of us. I reluctantly headed over to Ashley. She gripped a doll with a red and green dress, turning it over and inspecting it from every angle.

"Would you just choose that one?" I suggested.

Ashley shook her head, tugging at the doll's red hair. "I only have enough money for one of them. I want to choose the right one."

"But you already have a ton of them exactly like them," I reminded. "Why do you need another?"

"I already wished for more from Santa," Ashley admitted. "I wanted one that looked like me. None of these ones do. I even signed my letter. From Ashley Santos. Do you think he'll give me one?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure he will. So you don't need to spend ages deciding which one to get."

"I don't know, Max. Which one do you think is better?" Ashley picked up another doll with blonde hair and a sparkling white dress. "Hey, she kind of looks like a fairy. It's too bad we don't have one for our tree. We could place her on top, but she might fall off." Ashley glanced over, her eyes widening as she caught sight of another shelf filled with Christmas toppers. "Hey, look at those!"

"Ashley, wait!" I called as she went running across the mall.

I tried to go after her, only for somebody to walk in front of me. I jumped back as the crowd of shoppers blocked my view. They carried bags overflowing with gifts and ornaments, and were still searching for more of them. I tried to catch sight of Ashley as I pushed through them, but she had disappeared, probably looking at something else. I tried calling out to her, but my voice was drowned out by the footsteps and music.

I reached into my pocket for the money my mom had given me, realizing how hungry I was. I tried to search for somewhere to buy food, deciding that was more important than finding my sister. To my disappointment, I couldn't find anywhere. I only saw more endless shelves of fancy dolls, glittering stars, colorful toys, and things I knew I couldn't afford. I jumped as I caught sight of Mom at one of the shelves, buying a doll for Ashley. I backed away, knowing she'd be mad at me if she knew I let Ashley out of my sight. I glanced around, feeling worried for the first time. I couldn't see Ashley anywhere.

As Mom began to turn around, I panicked. I darted behind the huge silver Christmas tree at the edge of the mall and crouched down. I couldn't help thinking about how much more extravagant it was than our small, plain pine tree. To my relief, Mom didn't come by. I knew she'd never let me hear the end of it if I didn't do the one thing she asked of me. I caught sight of the elevators at the end of the mall and made my way to them. As I examined the sign next to the elevator, I noticed the food court was on the level right above this one.

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and a few people walked out. Before I could reconsider, I stepped inside and pressed the button to the next level. I decided I might as well check it out to see if Ashley was there. I wouldn't be surprised if she had headed up there. And it wouldn't hurt to get food, of course.

I began to regret it as soon as the elevator started ascending, realizing my mom would be even more mad at me. But it was too late to change my mind now. I stepped out and made my way over to the food court. It was just as crowded as the rest of the mall. There were even a few decorations hanging from the ceiling, though not nearly as many as downstairs.

"Ashley?" I called as I stepped inside. "Ash?"

I couldn't see her anywhere. I headed over to one of the shops. Everything was overpriced at this time, even the food. I had just enough money to buy a drink, but nothing else. Mom had probably given Ashley a little more, but she couldn't afford much either.

As I turned and started heading back, scanning the food court for Ashley, I jumped as I bumped into someone. She stumbled backwards, her own drink falling out of her hand before she reached down to catch it.

"Sorry! I'm sorry," I apologized as the hot chocolate splattered over her shirt.

The girl raised her head. I recognized her as Holly Lester, a girl at my school. "It's fine," she assured. "I didn't like this shirt, anyway."

"Still, I'm sorry. I should've looked where I was going." I paused. "Hey, Holly, can I ask you something?" I figured I might as well ask someone.

"What is it?" Holly asked. "I hope you're not going to make a joke about my name. I'm sick of people doing that around this time." She scowled.

"No, of course not,'" I assured. "I wanted to ask, have you seen my sister? You know, Ashley? She ran off, and I can't find her anywhere."

"I don't think I've seen her in here," Holly admitted. "Sorry."

I sighed. "It's alright. I wasn't expecting to find her here, anyway."

"Actually, wait," Holly interrupted. "I think I did see her."

"You have?" I asked excitedly.

"Well, I didn't get a good look," Holly admitted. "I only saw her for a moment. I saw an Asian girl in a pink and white dress run by."

"Yeah, that's her," I realized. I couldn't believe she had come up here.

"She didn't go in. She ran right past," Holly explained, pointing out of the food court. "To the left, to where the bathroom is. Maybe she needed to go."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Great, thanks," I said. "My mom will have my head if she thinks I lost her. She was expecting me to watch her."

Holly laughed. "My mom expected my sister to watch me as well, even though she's the same age as me. Can you believe that?" She sighed. "I'll probably be in trouble for wandering off here."

"Not as much trouble as I'll be in," I muttered.

I thanked her again before leaving. I ran out of the food court and turned left, like Holly had said. I walked down the long white hallway, relieved to be away from the crowd of voices. I called Ashley's name, but I couldn't see her. As I came to the end of the hallway, I caught sight of the bathrooms. I realized I needed to go as well. I dumped my drink into the trash bin before entering.

I saw an elderly man in the bathroom, but nobody else. He briefly turned to glance at me, before turning back to the sink. As I came out, I glanced to the right, noticing another long hallway. I also caught sight of something on the floor. As I walked forward, I realized it was a pink hairclip. I reached down to pick it up, realizing it was the one Ashley wore in her long black hair. She had been here.

I started walking faster. The voices and footsteps from the food court had faded away completely. It was silent except for my footsteps.

"Ashley?" I called. Her name seemed to echo through the hallway. "Ash, are you there?" There was no reply. "I know you've been here. You'll be in so much trouble when I find you. Not just with Mom, but for me as well."

I paused as I caught sight of something in the distance. It was a single wooden stand, older than the ones downstairs, with more items on every shelf. The toys were a lot older, and less bright and colorful. There was a line of old dolls with glassy eyes and lifelike hair. I had a feeling she wouldn't like them. They were too creepy, with thin lips and blank expressions on their faces.

I jumped as I caught sight of someone step out from behind the stand. It was Ashley.

"Ashley!" I cried, racing forward.

She glanced up at me. She was holding what seemed like another doll in her hand, only this one seemed nicer. "Oh, it's just you, Max."

"Where have you been?" I demanded. "I've been looking for you everywhere. Do you know how much trouble you'll be in? What will Mom say?"

"I'm sorry, Max," Ashley apologized, gripping the doll tighter. "But I had to go to the bathroom, and there wasn't one down there. So I came up here, and then I found this place." She glanced at the row of toys. "Isn't it wonderful? And everything is cheap. I can buy more than one."

I glanced at the bulge in her pocket, which was larger than I expected. Mom must've given her a lot of money.

"But you can't just take them," I protested.

"I know," Ashley said. "I already... I mean, I already spoke to the owner. He said I could have any I wanted. But he's in the bathroom right now."

He must have been the man I saw. "But are you sure you can afford that doll?" I asked.

"Oh, this? It's an angel topper," Ashley explained, turning it over so I could see her face. "But she sure looks like a doll. I thought she was at first as well. Won't she look beautiful on our tree?"

I observed the topper. I had to admit it was a very nice one, even nicer than the ones I had seen downstairs. She had flowing blonde ringlets around her shoulders, glassy blue eyes, and a painted smile on her porcelain face under her rosy cheeks. She looked incredibly lifelike, and if it wasn't for the cracks across her pale skin and smudged paint in her blue eyes, I would've almost thought she was. She wore a flowing white dress with white fur trim and gold designs around the sleeves and hem. In her porcelain hands, she held a small, glistening star.

"I guess she will," I agreed. "But wouldn't you rather have one of those dolls?" I pointed to the dolls on display.

"Oh, I don't like them much," Ashley said, as I predicted. "They aren't as nice as the ones I have. And definitely not as nice as her." Ashley tightly gripped the angel topper. "Besides, she can go on the tree. She's for all of us, not just for me."

"Oh, really?" I quipped. "Are you sure you don't want her just so you can play with her?"

"Of course not," Ashley insisted.

She suddenly went silent, her eyes widening. I turned around to see the man I had seen earlier, the shopkeeper. His grey eyes narrowed behind his rectangular spectacles as he observed us. I quickly backed away.

"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Dubois," Ashley apologized, trying to put the angel topper back on the stand.

"Is that your brother?" the man asked, approaching.

Ashley nodded, picking the angel topper up. "Max was looking for me."

"And now I've found you," I said, grabbing her arm. "Let's go."

Ashley pulled away. "Please can I have this, Mr. Dubois?" she pleaded, holding the topper up.

Mr. Dubois narrowed his eyes as he stared at the angel topper, his face darkening as if in anger. I backed away, taken aback. Then the expression disappeared, and a thin smile spread over his face. "You want Angeline?"

"Is that her name?" Ashley stared at her. "That's a beautiful name. Perfect for an angel topper."

"Yes, it was," Mr. Dubois agreed, sounding almost saddened. "But unfortunately, she's not for sale."

"She isn't?" Ashley glanced up at him. "Do you have another one, then?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Mr. Dubois said. "But you could have one of the dolls instead. I heard you like them. They're very realistic, aren't they?"

"But I want this," Ashley insisted. "It'd look great on our tree, and it'd be the only thing on it. It's the only thing we have at home for Christmas, and it's completely plain."

"Ash, cut it out," I hissed. "Let's get going."

"Oh, is that so?" Mr. Dubois asked. "You're lucky to have a tree at all, you know."

"That's what Mom said," Ashley groaned. She stared up at the shopkeeper with wide eyes. "But everyone else has such amazing trees, and their entire houses covered in lights and decorations. And we don't. We probably won't even have that many toys. I know I'll get more than Max."

"Really?" I asked.

Ashley glanced down at Angeline. "But if we just put her on the tree, it would look a little nicer."

I glared at Ashley, knowing what she was trying to do. She did it all the time with Mom. I didn't know if it would work on Mr. Dubois, but to my surprise, he looked slightly moved. He raised his eyebrows while staring at Ashley, who stuck her lip out.

"You should be grateful for what you have," Mr. Dubois warned. "Even if it doesn't seem like much, you don't know when even that will be taken from you."

I stared at him, surprised by his words. "I will," Ashley insisted. "I'll be grateful I have Angeline if you give her to me. I won't even complain if I don't get any new dolls for Christmas."

I rolled my eyes. "I thought you were getting her for all of us."

"Oh, yeah," Ashley agreed sheepishly. "She's for all of us, so we can all have something on the tree. I'm sure Mom would like her."

Mr. Dubois hesitated. "I'm reluctant to part with her. I've had her for so long. Longer than you could imagine."

"Oh," Ashley muttered. "Did you get her at Christmas as well?"

"Yes, in a way." Mr. Dubois smiled.

"Was she as nice then?" Ashley asked.

"No, not really," Mr. Dubois admitted. "And all of the years afterwards haven't been good to her. She isn't the easiest to deal with, especially around Christmas."

I frowned. Why was he talking about the topper like that?

"Then again, I know how she feels," he said. "I don't feel much like celebrating around this time either. That's why I set up my store here. I couldn't bear seeing the rest of this place, filled with decorations like Angeline and brimming with people."

"Then why isn't that thing for sale?" I couldn't help asking. "Wouldn't you want to get rid of her?"

He narrowed his eyes at me. "I'm just asking," I said quickly. "I mean, I agree with you. I don't like how crowded everything is, either. Especially since we can't afford half of them..."

"Perhaps you're right," Mr. Dubois admitted. He glanced at Angeline. "Perhaps you should take her. Having her around only reminds me..."

"Really?" Ashley asked excitedly. "You mean, you'll let me take her?"

Mr. Dubois nodded, though he was clearly reluctant. "If she really makes you happy."

"Wait, Ash," I interrupted. "I don't know if we can afford it."

"No need for that," Mr. Dubois assured. "Take her free of charge."

"Really?" I demanded suspiciously.

"Oh, thank you!" Ashley exclaimed, hugging the angel topper tightly.

"Be careful with her," Mr. Dubois warned. "Don't do anything to make her angry." I stared at him.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of her," Ashley promised. "I always take care of my dolls. She'll be very happy with me."

"We could pay you," I insisted, reaching into my pocket. Then I groaned as I remembered I had spent the last of my money.

"Really, it's fine," Mr. Dubois insisted, looking guilty. "Please, take her."

He started speaking sternly to Ashley again. I was confused by his strange behavior, wondering why he had gone from being reluctant to let us take her to willingly giving her away. But Ashley was too thrilled to have her. She thanked him a few more times before we left.

"Can you believe he let me have her, Max?" Ashley asked. "Mom will love her. She'll look great on the tree."

I glanced at the angel topper. Something about her face, realistic and lifelike but at the same time stiff and lifeless, freaked me out. I saw a gleam in her blue eyes, and could've sworn her smile widened.