The Grinch sighed heavily as he remembered it all. Connie's laugh and the love she so willingly gave him right up to the moment when the Mayor had dropped her off the cliff.

The had not ever mentioned the incident on Mt. Crumpet again, and always shot a look of extreme shame whenever the Grinch caught his eye on his secret missions to Whoville, where he ruined Christmas as much as possible.

But, in the end, the Mayor had gotten his wish: the Grinch used all his energy to ruin Christmas year after year, claiming the title of "Most Hated Enemy of Whoville." Year after year, the Who's all rallied behind their leader for protection, and re-elected him to do just that again. And again. And again. And again.

Watching the falling snow atop his mountain, alone again on another Christmas night, the Grinch longed for Connie more than ever. He missed her so much it was painful. He'd never loved like he had loved her. Not with Martha, not with Cindy... Not with anyone.

He reached a hand to his chest, digging out his most precious possession that was always concealed beneath several thick green layers of hair.

A locket. The one he'd gotten for Connie for Christmas. The first Christmas present he was going to give after his horrible school days... He ended up keeping it. Couldn't bear to throw it away. It reminded him so much of Connie... Just as his zip-line did. The one she'd built all those years ago and the one he still used to this day.

He gripped the locket tightly as he glanced once more at the cliff where it had all ended.

"Dreams do come true," he murmured softly. That's what had been engraved on the locket. And now she'd never get to read it and know that, within the span of one short week, this girl had become his very heart and soul.

The Grinch buried his head in his arms and sobbed.