A Simple Wish

by Tal Greywolf

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    Snow drifted slowly down from darkening skies as Rebecca wandered

the streets, searching for shelter.  Ever since the morning fight with

her parents resulting in her running off she had been trying to find

somewhere to go, some place that would take her.

    The fact that it was Christmas Eve made it more difficult.  Most

places were closed for the holidays, what few shelters were already

filled to capacity.  Even the church she attended couldn't help her out.

At least they gave her something to eat, more food than she had all

week.

    The sounds of traffic were muffled in the park as she walked,

shivering slightly from the cold.  Instinct had her grab her coat and

gloves before running out of the house, instinct that served her well.

    She really didn't want to run out, but her father was in a rage,

drunk and ready to lash out at anything or anyone.  As for her mother,

she wouldn't lift a finger against him to help her, afraid for her own

life.  Desperate for a way out, she took the chance and slipped out

while he was screaming about the television, climbing over the fence and

taking off down the alley.  Soon she was out on the streets, catching

the first bus that came along.

    A small shelter loomed in the mist and snow, a place for her to rest

a while.  She settled down on the wooden bench within, leaning against a

wall and closing her eyes, the tears threatening to fall.  She didn't

want much in life, just a home, friends, people who cared about who and

what she was, a chance to live her life out of the hell she had been in.

Just a chance... wish...

    A hand gently shook her to wakefulness.  She opened her eyes to see

a face peering at her, a face that wore a look of thoughtfullness.

Shying away from him, he stood up and gave her a soft smile.

    "It's O.K.," he said, his voice soft yet commanding.  "I'm not going

to hurt you, Rebecca."

    She blinked at the mention of her name, then shook her head.  "If

you're here to take me back home, I won't go."

    He shook his head slowly, a soft tinkling sound being heard.  "No,

dear, I'm not going to take you back there."  His smile was warm,

reassuring her and making her relax without realizing it.  "No, I'm here

for another reason.

    "You want a place to live where you'll be welcomed, don't you child?

Where you won't feel like an outcast, unwanted, tossed away like a

broken toy?"

    She nodded slowly, agreeing with his statement.  "I just want a

chance, that's all.  To be able to live for once without being afraid."

    "Would you like that chance?"  He said it in a matter of fact tone,

making Rebecca blink in surprise.  She shook her head, looking at this

stranger.  He didn't wear anything familiar to her, his clothing

looking more out of a movie than what you'd find on the street, with a

long cloak on his shoulders down to his ankles.  His manners were

eccentric, but rather reassuring and comforting in their way.

    Slowly she nodded her head at him.  "I would," she said in a quiet

whisper.  "I wish I could leave this place and go somewhere that I'd be

welcomed."

    He nodded at her words, looking deep into her eyes.  Then he chanted

softly, the words foreign in her ears.  She felt a warmth flooding into

her, her vision blurring as she felt herself disoriented, falling to her

hands and knees.  Her body shuddered as she felt herself rearranging,

her arms and legs becoming longer, her neck and face stretching out in

front of her.  She let out a soft sound, like a bellowing of surprise,

then a strange calmness filled her.

    The stranger placed his hand on her neck, smiling at her.  "Come

with me," he said, leading her out of the shelter.  She found herself

walking on four legs, her shock strangely absent now.  Instead there was

a feeling of expectation, a sense that something special was happening

to her.

    He led her to a large sleigh, waiting in the snow.  In front of the

sleigh was another like her, a reindeer that stood there quietly.  She

let herself be harnessed, then looked over to the other.

    An odd nickering came from the other, which her mind translated into

understanding.  <My name is Thomas.>

    She responded the same.  <My name's Rebecca.  What's happening?>

    <Something special.>

    The stranger came up to them, sugar cubes in his hands.  They both

ate them, enjoying the sweetness as they could feel themselves becoming

stronger, filled with energy.  He smiled at their readiness and adjusted

the straps, talking to them.  "Every time this year I choose two like

you, children who are abandoned, alone, in need of a place to live.  In

return for granting them their wish, I have need of your help on this

one night when wishes are made real for others.  That is my only price

for giving you what you desire."

    Thomas and Rebecca looked at each other, then back at the stranger.

He smiled, reading their thoughts.  "No, you won't stay this way unless

it's what you wish to be.  I can make you whatever you desire."  He

looked up at the dark skies, then smiled.  "But now it's time for us to

leave."

    He stepped up into the sleigh, taking hold of the reins.  Rebecca

and Thomas looked back, and he smiled warmly.  "Come, children.  Run!"

    They started off, Thomas and Rebecca walking, then trotting as they

pulled the sleigh.  Behind the stranger began chanting again, his voice

in rhythm with their cadence, feeling energy pulsating around them.

They raced down the streets, surprising folks on the sidewalks and

throwing up sprays of snow.  Ever faster they ran, their forms blurring

into streaks of brown and red until suddenly they took off into the

night sky...

    ...the sounds of silver bells drifting in the air.

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A Simple Wish (c) 1996

by Tal Greywolf

All rights reserved.