Silver Bells

Chapter 1: Mission

Squidmas was right around the corner in Inkopolis Square, it was Agent 8's very first Squidmas. Let alone one surrounded by the other Agents. It was being held at Agent 4's apartment, and she was nice enough to let everyone spend Squidmas there this year. Agent 8 didn't understand what this 'Squidmas' was about since he doesn't remember much of his past life before the whole blender incident down in Deepsea Metro a while back. Though he was a bit excited seeing how the square was decorated this time of year.

Squidmas lights hung all around the area, lighting up the place with its festive spirit. The few fancy pine trees placed nearby with blinking colored lights and sparkly ornaments brought some joy to Agent 8's soul. Not to mention the holly jolly smell of hot chocolate, peppermint, and cinnamon that lingered in the frosty air. Agent 8 was amazed at all the cheery spirit that the square gave off.

Squidmas was truly the most wonderful time of the year.

It was early in the morning and Agent 8 had taken the metro and made his way to Agent 4's apartment to help with some last-minute Squidmas shopping that was needed for the party on Friday. Agent 8 volunteered to get the job done, he wanted to explore a bit more around town and see what the holidays had to offer. Not to mention he liked the fluffy white snow that would fall from the sky. He also enjoyed collecting those small little snowflakes that would melt away once they came in contact with his hand. He stopped in his tracks for a quick second and lowered his scarf, revealing his mouth to let out some of his breath.

He stared at the visible cloud of air he formed in front of him and a small smile spread across his lips.

'Fun..' he whispered to himself.

He adjusted his scarf and shoved his left hand into his coat pocket and took out a small scrap of paper with an address Agent 4 had given him. With the practice he had made trying to study and understand the Inkling language these past few months, he could understand some basic stuff now. So he looked up from the paper and at the pole with street names. He had successfully made it to the right location, Flounder Heights. Now to locate the correct apartment complex. He turned a right towards the apartments inside Flounder Heights and began looking for a building under the number 3483.

After a few minutes of walking down the sidewalk, he was in front of the right complex. He stared at the cream-colored apartments with a roof that was covered in a blanket of white snow. It gave off a cozy feeling seeing how almost every apartment was decorated with lights and Squidmas décor on both the windows and balconies. Simple colorful lights with some silly inflatables were displayed in front of the entrance of the lobby. As well as the big round man of honor with his fellow reindeer ready to greet you by the door.

He walked up towards the front door and pulled the door open, a small bell jingled as he pulled on the door to enter the building. He stepped inside and let the door close behind him as he took in his new surroundings. The lobby was small and almost cramped. There was an elevator a few feet in front of him along with a storage closet on the left and a small room closed behind a plastic glass window where an elderly inkling man sat behind a counter reading some sort of magazine while listening to a small radio on the right. The Octoling noticed that what he assumed was the landlord, hadn't noticed nor heard someone had just entered the building.

Agent 8 walked up to the counter and waited to be noticed. The elderly man continued reading, not noticing he was being stared at. Agent 8 waited a couple more seconds before he tapped on the window and finally got the inkling's attention and waved at him.

"Oh why hello there! Didn't see you there laddie," said the elderly man as he adjusted his glasses and set the magazine aside, "Need help with something?"

Agent 8 shoved his hand into his coat pocket again and took out the same piece of scrap paper from earlier and checked the apartment number. He was looking for room 405.