I Applied for a Delivery Job and Got Turned Into a Flying Reindeer?!

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Suddenly, Justin found himself the focus of not one, but eight reindeer's attention.

"We are here to discuss the training of the newest addition to Santa's sleigh pulling team." Dasher said, motioning toward him. "Justin, step before the council."

Justin hesitated, and Lucas put an encouraging hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, everyone's on your side here. Just answer their questions and we'll be done in flash!"

Taking a deep breath, Justin stepped forward.

"Justin," said Dancer. Justin was surprised to see that she and Vixen had antlers just like the bucks. "Speak truly: did you apply for the position of air courier, knowing full well the requirements and responsibilities that would be placed upon you?"

"No!" he answered. Well, yes, but...I didn't know that meant being turned into a monster!"

"Were you forced, threatened, or otherwise coerced into making this decision?"

"What? No! I just—"

"Who vouches for this buck?" asked Prancer, talking right over him. "Is he strong of heart, brave, and selfless?"

"I..." Justin stared at him in bewilderment. "I have no idea how to answer that."

"It was Santa's decision to reveal the Opportunity to him," Dasher interjected, "and his Knowing is beyond all of us. I put my faith in Santa."

"Agreed," chorused the other seven members.

"Tell us of yourself, Justin," Vixen said, leaning toward him in her seat. "Who were you before you became one of us?"

The finality of her words were like a slap to Justin's face. It was like she was slamming the door on his old life closed, even while he was trying to squeeze back through it.

"I, um...what do you want to know?" He shrugged, their intense stares making him want to scratch his fur. "I'm twenty years old. I'm an only child. I haven't talked to my parents since I turned eighteen. I...I don't like to talk about that."

Apparently that was enough, because Comet spoke next, "Do you have any experience flying?"

"Heck no!" Justin exclaimed. "I'm terrified of heights!"

That was the first thing he'd said that actually seemed to catch the council's attention. They all sat a little straighter, their ears perking up with interest.

"Why would someone who's afraid of heights ever apply to be an air courier?" Blitzen demanded.

"You do know what those words mean, don't you?" asked Donner.

Justin nodded. The council began to mutter amongst themselves.

Did I just say the wrong thing? Justin thought, sweat running down his forehead, leaving dark trails in his brown fur.

Or maybe it was the right thing to say. He didn't want to stay here, but it looked like he was the only one who felt that way. The others assumed he was thrilled to be given this special, stupid Opportunity, and were clearly going to try to find whatever reason they could to keep him here.

But if I give them the wrong answers, he thought, the hope inside him slowly rekindling, they'll send me home and turn me into a human again!

Cupid held up a hand. "Wait! My friends, let us hear him out! Justin, if you are afraid of heights, why did you apply for a job that would require you to be up in the air so often?"