A Belsnickel Christmas

**A Belsnickel Christmas** is a short story set in the Midtown Universe. It takes place on Christmas Eve in Midtown and centers around a young boy meeting Belsnickel, the Christmas being who brings toys to Children.

## Story

*Once upon a time…in a realm much like our own…a realm called Midtown…Christmas was occurring…*

Twelve year old Benny Raymond laid in bed, snug under his warm blanket, with his teddy bear Luna held tightly in his hand. It was Christmas eve and the streets outside were not only covered by the regular purple mist but also by snow. Benny smiled as he laid in bed. Christmas was the best time of the year, especially in a magical place like Midtown. You see, Midtown was not like the regular world. Midtown was a realm. A realm that resembled a vast city. It was filled to the brim with all sorts of magical creatures and one of those magical creatures…was Belsnickel. Belsnickel always came at Christmas time, delivering presents and candies to good children all over the realm. When it came to the bad kids however, Belsnickel would gift the parents ways to punish their naughty children. But few parents ever took him seriously.

Benny was wondering if he would ever get to meet Belsnickel. His parents had always told him that Belsnickel only came when he was asleep, something he was finding particularly hard to do tonight. Benny sat up and got out of his bed. He looked out the window, looking down at the snow and mist covered streets below. Storefronts were decorated in bright glittering Christmas lights. Benny smiled and thought to himself, *just another Christmas in Midtown.*

He walked back over and was ready to hop into his bed…when he heard a loud clattering on the roof. He gasped. Could it be? Was it really him? He quickly grabbed his teddy bear and quietly ran out into the living room so he wouldn’t wake up his parents. He walked into the living room. The small cakes and milk they had set out earlier on the nightstand were still untouched. Suddenly, a loud groaning came from the chimney of the house. He gasped and quickly hid under the living room’s large piano. He watched with wonder as a figure, clad in a suit made from animal furs, dropped down into the fireplace. In his right mitten he held a huge sack. He grunted, scratched his back, and walked over to the cakes on the nightstand. He stuffed the first one into his mouth greedily, crumbs falling into his bushy brown beard. He did the same to the second cake and took a quick gulp of milk to wash it down before moving onto the third cake.

He took a few bites of the third cake and then washed it down with the rest of the milk. He let out a loud belch before reaching into his sack. He pulled out a few crudely wrapped Christmas presents and placed them under the Christmas tree next to the ones Benny’s parents had gotten for him. “Wow…” Benny said quietly. Belsnickel grunted, hearing what he said. He walked over to the piano and pulled Benny out by the scruff of his shirt. “What are you doin’, boy?!” Belsnickel exclaimed as quietly as he could. He couldn’t believe he had found a child out of bed! Benny’s eyes widened as he stared into the face of Belsnickel. His skin was covered in soot from the chimney. The deer antlers sticking out from his forehead were quite jarring too. He gulped and slowly spoke, “I…I heard you on my roof and I just…wanted to meet you..”

Belsnickel thought about his words deeply. While the child had done a bad thing, he was only curious and curiosity was a very noble (if at times stupid) trait. He set the boy down and resumed getting presents out of the bag. Benny watched him and asked, “Where do you come from?”

“Why, from the North Pole, of course!” Belsnickel said gruffly. “Are there polar bears up there? And white stags? And ice serpents? My friend Kyle said that there was an ice serpent at the North Pole!”

Belsnickel gave him a confused look. Where had his friend gotten his information from? “My boy, I have seen many things in my time. But I have never seen an ice serpent. However, there are a lot of polar bears and…maybe a white stag or two.” Belsnickel finished putting the presents under the tree and hoisted his sack over his shoulder. “You’re leaving?” Benny said, a twinge of sadness in his voice. “Of course! After all, there are many other children in Midtown to see. You should head to bed!”

Benny looked down sadly. He wished Belsnickel didn’t have to go so soon. Belsnickel could see this and sighed. “How about…I take you out to see the sleigh?” Belsnickel asked. Benny’s eyes brightened with happiness. “Really? Oh sure! Let’s go see the sleigh!” Benny said excitedly. Belsnickel then took his hand and went to the chimney. He and Benny crouched down in the fireplace. “I would suggest you keep your eyes closed for this next part,” Belsnickel advised. Before Benny could respond, they zipped up the chimney and onto the roof of the building. Gone was the warmth of the inside and in came the cold of the outside. Benny shivered a little as they stood on the snow covered roof. Belsnickel put his sack into the back of a large brown sleigh that looked haphazardly painted.

Pulling the sleigh were two shaggy reindeer. Belsnickel walked over and stroked the first one’s head. “This is Lauferin. The other one is Starke.” Upon hearing their names, the two reindeer respectfully bowed their heads. Benny smiled and patted Lauferin’s head. She made a soft purring sound. He patted Starke’s head too, not wanting him to feel left out. Belsnickel climbed into the sleigh. “You’d better get back inside, Benny. It’s cold and it will be morning soon.” Benny nodded and said, “I will. Thank you for stopping by, Belsnickel.” Belsnickel nodded, smiling softly at the boy. He gently whipped the two reindeer and they started flying. Belsnickel’s sleigh flew over his head. Benny watched in wonder and amazement as Belsnickel flew off into the night.

*Just another Christmas in Midtown,* He thought happily to himself.