LM Simpson's tidbits: Wow, this was actually went by pretty fast by my track record. It didn't break The Original Donkey Kong's record, but it's still a good run.

Chapter Five

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Zick remembered his first grade class reciting a poem entitled "The Night before Christmas." The speaker described visions of sugarplums dancing in slumbering children's heads.

This night before Christmas did not provide dancing candies, but gloomy nightmares.

Zick's attire was not the stained shirt, but his usual style. His parents sandwiched him into a hug. The living room better resembled a post-war hero's parade. Red, white, and blue confetti littered his hair and clothes and the floor. He relished the joyful moment until he felt a stab in the back.

"Aah!" He tore away from his parents and dropped to his knees. He stared in horror as his clothes ripped to shreds to accommodate his changing body. Hands and feet became hairless paws, his nose became black and moist, his arms and legs became rigid, snapping into place in the process.

Greta began sobbing in her husband's arms as their son, once again a bluetick hound in tattered fabric, lowered his head and whimpered.

He woke. His limbs possessed joints, his piggy toes wiggled, his world remained a colorful one. Morning snow sifted to the ground, and he was still human. He exhaled in relief.

Elena's side was not occupied. She must be opening presents right now…

Something scratched against the other side of the door. It occurred rapidly and repeatedly. Assuming it was just Purrcy rapping against the door, he opened it. It was instead another dog—this time, a bloodhound bitch. A thick, velvet-like ribbon wrapped around her neck like a collar. Her tail wagged, but her brown eyes were so moist she appeared to cry.

"Huh? You weren't supposed to be a dog friend for me, were you?" Or, worse, my mate? He shivered.

The eyes were more serious. Zick could recognize that dirty look even in that furry package.

"Elena? Is that you?"

The head bopped up and down.

"But there's no way! You don't meet any of the requirements! You're supposed to be human and I'm supposed to be an animal, not the other way around! Elena, you didn't go to an Anguane, did you?"

She whimpered.

"Why would you do that?"

She clogged past him. Elena dove her head under her bed and returned with a piece of white paper in her mouth. Zick grabbed the sheet. He expressed "Yuck!" as he wiped the drool off the pencil scribbled side and read it.

Dear Zick, it began.

I couldn't believe it was really you when I found out the truth. I felt sorry for you. When I heard my parents wanted you to be given away, I knew I needed to help you.

I went to the Anguane village for a cure. I did get you a potion to change you back, but the condition was for me to become a dog in your place. Don't bother trying to help me—the switch can only happen once. Someone has to carry the curse to the grave. I'll carry it to mine.

Don't worry about me. My parents still have Charlie and Violet. Yours only have you. They've suffered long enough. Enjoy your new life. That's my present for you.

Merry Christmas, Elena.

Zick shifted his attention to the dog in front of him. He crouched down and hugged her. "You really didn't have to do that… But thanks."

Multiple footsteps boomed up the stairs outside.

"Oh, great… That must be your parents. Where do you want to hide?"

Elena retreated to under the bed. Zick sighed and followed her. He also tugged on the bed sheets and shoved them towards the free space exposing the two.

I hope this works…

Harvey and Julie opened the door.

"Oh no!" Julie cried. "She's not here!"

"Elena can't be anywhere else! Grab your coat, honey, we're going to file a missing persons report!"

"This is all my fault! She must have run away with Bongo or whatever that dog's name was!"

"Don't say that, Julie…"

The mother began crying as the door closed again. Elena and Zick remained under the bed. The dog began making soft, sad noises. Zick rubbed her behind her neck. The ribbon slightly loosened.

"Come on, Elena, let's go…"

The house was completely quiet. All four remaining humans had since driven away to the police station. The only other occupant was Purrcy, who scattered away with a weak, sad "meow" upon spotting the boy and dog in the foyer.

Zick shivered and emitted a "brr" when he exited and closed the door. He was still only wearing the shirt without any footwear or any other protection from the cold and snow. Both man and dog's breaths condensed as they inhaled and exhaled both orally and nasally. They prayed no one noticed they left the residence as they slowly stepped onto the sidewalk. The wintry trail burned his feet's soles. The only optimism both had was that Zick's home was only next door.

He hesitated before ringing the doorbell. Elena barked to further indicate a visitor's presence. When Zob opened the door, he gaped in shock. His face blanched.

"Dad… It's me…"

The father's hand touched his son's cold cheek and ruffled his snow-laced hair. "Oh my… Everyone in the living room! We have a visitor!"

"Who is it, Zob?" Greta called.

"Zick!"

"Zick? My baby's home?"

"Come on in, son!"

Zick entered; Elena followed. "Can I get some better clothes on first…?"

Zick changed into a thick, blue-dyed wool sweater and blue jeans. He sat in a living room chair afterwards drinking hot chocolate as if he was a child from a famine-stricken region. Elena sat at his feet. Greta sat at his side.

"What happened, baby?"

He sipped his final one. "Some freak kidnapped me to be his slave. It was awful. I was beaten and constantly fought his sexual advances. I escaped and found the dog in the woods on my way home. She protected me from anyone after me."

Greta choked.

Zob placed himself into the conversation. "We just found out Elena disappeared as well. Do you think it was the same monster, Zick?"

"Probably…" He felt horrible for what his alibi was about to include. "…He said he wanted to find and kill pretty red haired girls."

"Oh… I hope I still have Julie's cell phone number!" Greta leaped up and ran to locate her own device.

"…Dad?"

"Yes, Zick?"

"Can we keep the dog? Y'know, for saving me?"

Zob pondered. "You'll need your mother's consent too, but I would say yes. What do you want to name her?"

Zick could not speak French, but he knew one word beyond bonjour and oui courtesy of his mother's favorite movies. "Ami… Friend…"

THE END