Christmas Stalkings

Author: crystal_rose

Rated: PG13

Rating :

Prologue

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…

It certainly was bright, but calm? Not exactly.

With all the people and the mayhem happening around the mall, it was hard not to notice that Christmas was rapidly approaching. Everywhere you looked, there was tinsel, or a garland or a cheery elf all strategically placed to look festive. Garish decorations, bright lights, hyperactive children, harried parents, it was amazing that the government didn't declare Christmas a health hazard.

And in the middle of the chaos, Serena stood dressed in her ill-fitting pea green elf costume trying to keep a cheery smile on her face as she helped kids on and off of Santa's lap. It got harder and harder as the kids seemed to get heavier and more beastly, but it was for a good cause.

That became her mantra for a while as she kept the smile pasted to her face.

Her grin diminished a little as another child kicked her in the shins as she lifted. There was no cause on earth good enough for her to endure this kind of punishment.

She forced the smile back in place as she walked back to her spot at Santa's side, ignoring the idiotically beaming parents of the little hell spawn. She learned that no matter how evil a child was its parents always saw the best in it. ‘Oh, he kicked you? I'm sure it was an accident.' ‘Oh, he pulled your hair? Isn't that cute?' ‘Oh, he punched you in the face, laughed and did it a few more times? Aw! Such a playful little imp isn't he?' It got to the point where Serena vowed never to even think about having a child.

How did she get herself into this? She was intelligent. She worked hard. How did a college student looking to make extra cash over the winter break end up dressed up like a clown and reduced to being abused by children just for $7.50 an hour? It wasn't right!

In her opinion, Christmas sucked anyways. It was all too commercial and a waste of time. Nothing meant anything anymore. All a gift showed was what you could afford to buy and that you conformed with the rest of the masses. And like the rest of them, all the money she made there would go toward a present or two that would be forgotten in the next months.

Sighing, she bent down to pick up a dropped rattle and noticed that a group of teen boys grinning and looking up her too short skirt. That was the last straw.

Serena whirled and threw the rattle at the one guy's head. She grinned in satisfaction as it bounced off his forehead leaving an angry red mark.

His buddies started laughing at him, and for a moment Serena thought he looked like he was about to cry.

"I'm telling the manager!" he yelled as he stomped off with his buddies in tow.

"Fine by me! I quit anyways!" She ripped off the ridiculous elf's hat and ears and threw them at the fake Santa's house with all her might. That was when things started to get a little nasty.

Kids who were in line saw her removing the costume and started crying. Parents tried to calm them down while giving her dirty looks for ruining their kid's belief in Santa. But she didn't care.

Then she heard the creaking and looked over at the plywood house. The things she had thrown were apparently too much for the flimsy construct to handle. The roof of the house started to bend under the weight of the hat. With wide eyes, Serena could literally see it warp, bend and then break, sending the rest of the house down with it.

Within seconds the children had rioted, attacking the house and the man dressed as Santa. Apparently they were not happy with being duped into believing he was the real Santa, and figured he was the mastermind behind the whole thing.

Serena stood watching stupefied for a moment before deciding that it would be a good time for her to make a hasty exit. She ran to the back room where she kept her things and grabbed her purse before running outside.

"Stop right there!"

Serena stopped and turned to look guiltily at the security guards. To her chagrin they had their walkie-talkies out as well as their tazers drawn. She could see the crowds of people stopping and watching the seen.

She could see it now on the front page of the newspapers ‘Crazed Elf Girl Destroys Mall and Runs.'

Serena smiled weakly and put her hands up, answering them in her most innocent voice, "Yes?"

"Mr. Waltham would like to speak with you." They circled around her and led her back into the building.

Serena just let them lead her through. Mr. Waltham? Who was that? Hopefully he was an understanding person. If not, she was in serious trouble.

They took her into the inner recesses of the mall, places that she'd never been before.

By the time they reached the office, Serena was sure she'd never be able to make it back though the maze by herself.

They opened the door and Serena stepped through. At the desk was a man who, for a loss of words, looked jolly. He was large and exuded this warm welcoming presence and if you put a white wig and beard on him he'd be Santa Claus.

"Serena!" he boomed. "Having a little trouble are we?"

"Mr. Waltham I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cause all that. I was just so frustrated with everything."

"I completely understand. Kids can be quite trying." He stood up and smiled at her. "It's just a shame about the Santa display."

Serena grimaced. "I'll pay for it. I'll think of something I can do to make it up to you, sir."

"How do you propose to do that? I'm assuming you are a student and since you took the job I'm also assuming that you are short on cash." His twinkling blue eyes caught hers, "Am I right?"

"Yes." Her shoulders slumped in defeat. "Isn't there anything I can do to make it up?"

"Well, I really should dismiss you. But, since it's Christmas and I'm feeling charitable I'll give you a second chance."

"Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

He smiled and shook his head slightly. "Don't thank me just yet. The last position I have is the information desk. Do you think you can handle that?"

"Anything!" Serena was desperate to make good that she would have accepted a job.

"Great. You can start tomorrow."

"Thanks, sir! You won't regret this!" Serena smiled happily at him and almost skipped out of the room.

Mr. Waltham grinned, "And neither will you."