Santa's Little Helper

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Of course she was scared, it was Christmas Eve for goodness sake and the first time she’d ever seen Geraldine without her head.  

Alice ran an anxious finger across the jagged neck of the decapitated fairy.  How had it happened?  When?  Mother would return with the tree soon and she would be cross.  Alice would have to sit in her room, instead of help with the decorations.  She always placed the fairy on top. Always.

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She glanced at the shiny baubles and glittering tinsel lying in the cardboard box. “Out of bounds,” Mother had warned.  Alice understood, but she’d recognised the words Xmas Decorations written across the lid and she’d only wanted to look.

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Alice bit her lip. The fairy would have to be fixed before Mother got home, and there was only one person who could help.  She glanced up at the clock.  If she was quick, she’d just have enough time.  Alice wrapped the faceless fairy in its white tissue paper and went to fetch her coat.

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*

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The Shopping Centre was full of festive fayre and seasonal sounds that Alice wanted to investigate, but there was no time.   With Geraldine clutched to her chest, she hurried to the white picket fence that surrounded the little wooden cabin.

The gentle orange glow through the frosted windows offered a warm welcome, yet Alice felt out of place.  Despite the strange glances from other children, she joined the queue, hoping she wouldn’t have to wait too long…

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“Aren’t you a bit old for Santa’s Grotto, Alice?”

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She recognised the mocking voice, and turned to look at the boy with the curly blonde hair and pale blue eyes.  He always teased her, even when she was out with Mother.  “How can someone with the face of an angel be so cruel,” she would say.  

 

“Maybe he’ll put something big in your stocking.”  The two boys with him laughed.

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“Oi! Clear off. You’re upsetting my kid.” 

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Alice flinched at the loud voice behind her and began to bite her lip.

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“Don’t forget to tell Santa how good you are.”   There was more laughter as the boys wandered off.

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Alice turned away, her eyes blurring. By the time she’d passed through the doorway with the twinkling fairy lights, tears rolled down her cheeks and she could taste blood.

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Inside, the old man in the red suit with the long white beard handed her a tissue. “Dry your mouth, Alice, there’s a good girl.”  He gestured at her to sit down.  

Alice gave a respectful smile.  The old man had many names, but only she knew his true identity.  He trusted her; maybe because she could never tell anyone.  Dabbing her lip, she lowered herself onto a beanbag and shot a nervous glance at his Helper.  

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It stood about two feet high, in a hooded green tunic that covered most of its squat body.  All Alice could see of its legs were black leather boots with long tapering feet.  Even the features of its face were obscured, except, Alice noticed, from the shadowy depths of the hood, two glowing amber eyes fixed her with a knowing gaze.  Alice shivered and placed the bloody tissue deep in her coat pocket.  

The old man leaned forward. “Alice, my child, how can I help?” 

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Alice unwound the white tissue paper and held out the faceless fairy.  

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“Ah…how unfortunate.” The old man threw a sideways glance to his assistant. “Do you think you could help with this?” 

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The Elf nodded once, and wandered off with a flat-footed trudge.  Alice caught a glimpse of pointed fingertips protruding from the long sleeves of its green tunic.   

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The old man touched her arm. “Don’t be alarmed Alice; you’re a good girl.”

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*

Snow had begun to fall from a dusty grey sky as Alice stepped out through the automatic doors of the Shopping Centre.  She had to get back home before Mother.  There was no time to waste.  She turned up the collar of her coat, and hurried through the frosty afternoon air.

By the time she reached the familiar meandering footpath bordered by high wooden fences, shadows had begun to take shape in the gloom.  

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Alice marched along the grey concrete with an air of confidence that was as cold as the wintry murk around her.  She didn’t like being out on her own, especially when it was getting dark.

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The wind increased, blowing snow in all directions.  Just ahead of her, a fence panel creaked and from behind it Alice thought she could hear the sound of something sharp scraping on wood.  She veered to the other side of the footpath just as a small, black, yellow-eyed creature appeared on top of the fence.  It looked down at her with a suspicious gaze and then mewed affectionately.

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Alice sighed, shook her head, and walked into something hard.  She jerked and looked up.  As if jolted into action, the lone street lamp flickered on; it’s dull pink bulb having little effect on the cold lead light surrounding it.  Alice kicked it with the toe of her boot, which did little to help her aching shoulder.

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With purposeful strides, Alice kept to the middle of the path and fixed her gaze on the exit ahead.  But as she reached it, she did not avoid the boy with the curly blond hair and pale blue eyes as he appeared around the corner in front of her.  

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“Oi! Watch it Alice,” he sneered.  

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Alice noticed he was alone and tried to dodge past, but he blocked her way.  

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“Santa give you something nice did he?”

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Alice shook her head, and edged away.  The boy walked towards her, forcing her back along the footpath.

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“What have you got there then?” He prodded at her chest.  Alice shook her head.

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“Doesn’t look like nothing.  Tell you what, you give it to me and you can pass.”

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Alice folded her arms tighter.  The boy tried to grab at the parcel and she spun away from him.  

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“Give it to me, Alice.”

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The force of his hand on her back caused her to stumble and she fell forwards.  She cursed as she fell against the lamppost for the second time.  

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On the ground, something hissed.  She turned to look down for the cat, but only caught a dark shadow moving against the grey.  The boy yanked the package out of her folded arms. “Got it!”  He stepped back from her.

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Behind him, Alice watched something small and fast scrabble up the wooden panels of the fence.

 

As the boy unwrapped her present, Alice could only stare over his shoulder.  Every nerve end of her body screamed at her to run, but she couldn’t move.  

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It squatted on top of the fence, long reptilian-toes gripping on for balance. Its black hairy arms, almost human except for the long, curved talons that were its fingernails, rested in a casual, almost mocking gesture, across its bent knees.  From a huge, bat-shaped head, two gleaming eyes like live coals fixed Alice with a knowing gaze.  Its leering mouth displayed a large protruding tongue, and two white spears for teeth.   

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Alice opened her mouth but no sound came out. 

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“Is this it?” The boy screwed up the tissue paper and tossed it over his shoulder.  

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The Elf shot out a muscular arm and caught the missile; its nails glinting in the now orange glow from the street lamp.  Alice swallowed. 

“Santa gave you a doll?” The boy squeaked. “That doesn’t even have a head!’

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Alice’s heart hammered in her chest as she watched the creature lick its lips and throw the paper ball towards her.  It hit the boy on the back of the neck.

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“What the…” He turned to look.

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The last thing Alice saw before she passed out were the Elf’s glinting blades as it leapt into the snowy air.  

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*

Alice opened her eyes and sat up.  When she saw it, she gasped.  

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The tree looked wonderful with its bright baubles and shimmering tinsel.  She sighed and slumped back onto the sofa…and sat up again when she realised what was missing.

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“Ah, you’re awake.” Mother said.  “I didn’t want to disturb you – perhaps the wait was too much?  Anyway, I’ve saved you the best bit. Here you are.”  She handed Alice a small package. 

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Alice hesitated.

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“Go on…”  

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With trembling hands, Alice removed the white tissue paper and emitted a small gasp.

Geraldine was perfect.  She wore a dress of silver.  Her wings reflected a rainbow of colours and around her neck lay a necklace of glistening ruby droplets.  But the most beautiful thing about her, Alice thought, was her curly blond hair and pale blue eyes.

“Lovely, isn’t she? You could say she has the face of an angel.”

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Alice jerked her head up and searched her Mother’s face, but she just smiled, and for a moment Alice could have sworn that two glowing amber eyes fixed her with a knowing gaze.

​© Sue Shade 2004. All rights reserved.

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