A DISASTER MADE IN RED AND WHITE

Chapter 1: Unexpected News

Today is December 26th. Christmas is over and the people are removing their decorations from their homes in order to prepare for the New Year's Day, another great celebration which symbolizes a new fresh beginning for all beings on Earth. And do you know what the best part is? It's vacation time!! Yeah, that's right. Every time after Boss Santa delivers the presents successfully, us his assistants, or as known as his elves, have a chance to relax for a week until we are back on building millions of toys for the kids around the world.

Since this vacation is the only one we are allowed to, we try to use it as best as we can. That's why I am laying on this beach, admiring the sea and the colourful sunrise. Ah, I can't wait to swim in there for hours!

Suddenly, a ringtone was heard from my pocket. I picked it up curiously to see who was calling so early. On the bright screen, there were two words written.

"Head Quarters"

My eyes widened from shock. I quickly accepted the call and answered nervously "Sir, is there a problem? Why did you..."

Before I finished my sentence, the caller at the other end said "No questions. All elves must come back to the North Pole immediately. There's an emergency"

"But, sir-!" the call stopped. "Ugh, do they really have to do this every time?" I complained.

Then a rare anxiety overtook me. This has never happened before, especially after Christmas. What could be so important that all the elves must cancel their plans and come back? Cold sweat run down my back. I have a bad feeling about this.

The ride to North Pole was as quick as possible, since there was no time to spare. Soon all the elves were gathered in the main hall of the village and our superiors were standing at the stadium, trying to calm down the noisy crowd and the complaining voices, claiming that the Boss will answer our questions. This situation is understandable since everyone was agitated for what was going to be announced.

After half an hour, the door opened and there he was. Our Boss Santa walking steadily towards his chair in the middle of the stadium. His red suit and boots still looking intact from the snow, ashes or harsh weather, making it seem like he wasn't travelling the world and delivering presents just a few hours ago.

Apart from his white hair, someone could easily notice that he didn't have a beard or wasn't actually old at all. His facial features are one of a 20-something year old's and his childish aura can still be detected, despite working as Boss Santa for many years. That's because he isn't Santa Clause. Well, at least THE original Santa whom the humans think of. That one died a loooooong time ago. The current Boss Santa is one the old one's descendants and the first who decided to modernize our workplace, including using technology and having vacation time!

Anyways, let's go back to our problem. Boss Santa sat on his chair and stared at us with a complicated look. The whole room had become quiet, waiting patiently for his words.

After a few moments, Santa opened his mouth "My dear elves, firstly I would like to thank you all for returning immediately, despite the short notice and sudden cancellation of your plans" his voiced sounded soothing mixed with an apologetic tone. "I gathered you all here, because a terrible problem appeared. A human...found out about the 7-day grace period"

Everyone gasped in shock! Loud murmurs sounded everywhere in the hall.

"No, this is impossible!" someone shouted desperately

"No human ever passed through our barriers or found out about our existence for thousands of years!"

"I know, I know" Santa motioned with his hands for everyone to calm down "But it happened. In fact, our outside sources detected an abnormally high increase of bad behaviour among kids, even the supposed good ones, from different countries, right a few hours after Christmas"

With this news, the elves started panicking more, fidgeting nervously, and some of them even crying from anxiety.

"But fear not, my dear elves" Santa continued "We have everything under control and the issue will be resolved shortly with a special team which I chose".

This seemed to have an effect on the elves, because they became a little relieved.

"Of course Boss Santa already had a way!"

"He IS the boss after all "

"So awesome" the elves exclaimed among themselves.

An expression of worry appeared on Santa's face "However, I ask from all of you to stay closed inside your homes until further notice for your safety. We don't know how this happened and are not certain if more of our secrets were leaked. I hope you understand. Now go".

The elves began walking or even running hurriedly to their homes. I was also the same of course. The situation was more severe than I had thought. If a human is capable of stealing information from one of the most secure places on the magic realm, and create instant chaos, then all the magic creatures were in danger of being found. And what if... they are still here, in the North Pole? Boss Santa's precautions cannot be considered foolish!

I opened my house's door with a trembling hand, still affected from my messed thoughts and the previous announcement. I went towards my sofa and lied flat with my body, tiredness filling me. This is going to be a difficult year...at least Boss Santa has it under control with his team. I wonder who they are.

*Ding*

My phone's notice was heard. I lazily picked my phone and looked at the screen. An email from the H.Q.? What now? I clicked at the message and after a while I instantly sat up and shouted "WHAT!?".

"H.Q. : If you received this message, then you have been chosen to be a member of Santa's special team. Congratulations!

You must go to Santa's office immediately and follow further instructions. Please try to not be heard or noticed by anyone while doing so.

The message will be deleted automatically after a while being read."

And as suddenly as it was sent, the message disappeared, like it was never here in the first place.

"Are you kidding me?..." There's no way this is happening. First an information leak and now I am being selected for the mission!? What do I do!? I need to talk to Santa!

I quickly grabbed my things and sneakily went to Santa's office as the email had instructed. The gigantic wooden door was the only thing that separated me from Santa.

My hand hit the wooden door lightly, creating a tiny echo in the empty hallway. The response came right after, with the handle unlocking by itself and the door being pushed forward. The creaking sounds made by the old sandalwood floor being scratched gave an eerie feeling combined with the completely dark room upfront.

"Is Boss Santa's office supposed to be this dark?..." this thought crossed my mind.

It's understandable since no-one is allowed into Santa's office unless they are called for a special reason. I looked at the floor in the room being consumed by the darkness, almost forming a passage in the middle, enough to fit a person. This is the only path to meet Santa and to find out about the so-called mission.

"...I guess there's only one way" I turned my head back one last time before I took the first step forward inside the room.

"Huh..." I sighed. Nothing happened after I went in. "Maybe it's not so bad-"

*Bang!*

The door behind me suddenly closed.

"Yeah, I definitely talked too soon" that were my last words before I felt the floor disappearing from below me.