Prompt: The Main Character is Startled Awake by…

Words: subway, evergreen, core, emblem, wild, swine, poised, occupation, inspector, gate

Story

“Honey, wake up.” Candace shook Jeremy’s shoulder. “Wake up! I heard a noise.”

“It’s probably just the subway,” Jeremy mumbled in his pillow.

“Not unless the Red Line started sounding like wild swine. Come on. Go check. Please?”

Jeremy rolled out of bed and stumbled to the baby gate at the top of the stairs. He paused, poised to descend with Candace crowding behind him. He knew in his core there was nothing, but for Candace’s peace of mind he’d go sown so he could get it over with and back to bed.

He eased toward the living room when in a flash he was wide awake. A large person in red and white bent over their small, living evergreen decked out for Christmas.

“What the…?”

The man turned, just as startled as Jeremy – and from the gasp behind him, Candace. “Oh my! Jeremy Dunn, occupation – postal inspector. Candace Dunn, occupation – owner Emblem Fashion Boutique. Both on the Nice List. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”

Then he was just…gone.

“But we don’t even have a chimney,” Candace stammered. “And we’re not…”

“Children?” Jeremy finished.

“I was going to say Believers, but that’s not true anymore is it?”

“We can’t tell anyone, Candace.”

“Why not? It’s the biggest mystery solved.”

“And the greatest threat of all. Don’t risk us leaving the Nice List.”

Word Count: 227

Written: 12/19/19