Page 49 - The Muse 2019-20 Issue

“What’s in the bag?” asked Georgia.
“Oh,” Syndey looked down at the bag in her hands. “I brought you a gift.” Syndey said. She came slowly closer to the bed and handed the bag to Georgia. Georgia opened it, and inside was a nutcracker.
“How cute,” Georgia said. She paused, then added, “I also have a present for you.” Georgia leaned to the left, opened the drawer of her nightstand, and removed a small gaily wrapped box. She handed it to Syndey, and said brightly, “Merry Christmas!”
Syndey unwrapped the box. Inside was a candy cane, although in the light, instead of red and white, it looked like it was black and white.
As Syndey looked at it closely, Georgia chimed in. “I’m sorry it’s not much, but it’s very special. I made it myself. Just for you. It’s delicious,” she smiled. “Go on.” Georgia looked at Syndey, and the smile left her eyes. “Eat it.”
Syndey picked up the candy cane and took a bite. She chewed. It was sweet. Very sweet. But, not really minty. Syndey swallowed. But, the candy cane wouldn’t go down.
It felt like it was stuck in her throat.
She coughed.
“Water...” she croaked, her eyes tearing up.
Georgia just sat on the bed, looking at her with wide eyes. Syndey gasped for air and collapsed onto the ground.
“Help,” Syndey said weakly. The look in her eyes was saddening. “Help her!” Georgia yelled to the corner.
At first, it appeared that the nurse stood up and emerged from the dark corner. But, it was no nurse. It was a large black-hooded figure. It floated over to Georgia and placed its icy hand on the child’s shoulder. Shock filled Georgia as she saw that Nurse Cathy was still sitting in the corner.
Georgia looked up at the hooded thing. It smelled like a dead animal.
“Child, tell me who stays. You or her?” the deep scratchy voice asked.
Georgia silently mouthed the words she had just heard, “Who stays? Who stays? Who stays?”
while looking at Syndey.
“Me. I stay,” Georgia replied.
The dark figure nodded in agreement. It slowly removed its hand from Georgia and gracefully floated over to the choking girl.
Georgia looked and saw that the nurse’s body lay slouched over on the chair in the corner.
The figure stood over Syndey, who was convulsing on the floor, then glanced back at Georgia. With its left hand, the figure reached out and suddenly was holding a thin gold thread, one end of which was attached to Syndey’s heart, and the other end of which went straight up through the ceiling. The reaper pulled the string taut, and with its other hand used a small shiny sickle to cut the thread.
Syndey’s body suddenly went still.
Georgia and the reaper both looked at Syndey’s lifeless body.
“You said she wouldn’t suffer. You lied,” Georgia accused.
“Life is suffering, child.” The reaper turned towards Georgia, pointed a long finger at her, and
said, “Use your time well. I’ll be back for you.”
The figure then turned and walked away, disappearing through the closed door.
“Oh my God!” Nurse Cathy said. “What happened?” She jumped out of her chair and went to
help Syndey. But, Georgia knew it was too late.
While Nurse Cathy ran downstairs to get help, Georgia took the little box that had held the candy
cane and put it back in her nightstand, on top of her Ouija Board.
She could hear the music coming from downstairs and smelled gingerbread cookies. Christmas was definitely her favorite time of year.
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