The Devil's Angel

Chapter 13

"You've gotta be freaking kidding me." I muttered, trying to trudge along in the snow, but it was thick and cold. Not the rare Southern Californian cold; The North Pole cold. And let's just say, I was used to warmer temperatures. But it was cold, and I felt like I was going to pass out from frostbite.

"Really funny, God!" I screamed to the Heavens, falling over in the snow, looking up at the high wooden building. "Really freaking funny!"

"That isn't a way to treat my friend." I heard a deep, crackly voice, and I gasped as I jerked up, sitting on my knees, seeing a man with a red suit and white trim, black boots on his feet. "He told me you would show up."

"Santa…" I started as he helped me up, and I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I, uh, sorry for having to, um, drop in like this."

"Nah, it's fine. My elves are expecting you." He assured me, picking me up and practically throwing me on a reindeer. I didn't even notice it was there until I felt it.

I clung to its neck. "Who's this?" I asked, thinking of the reindeer from the song.

"Blitzen. He always want to fly." He told me, and like that we took off, and I screamed aimlessly as I held on for dear life. Taking off into the sky and far away from the ground was rough, but feeling the cold crystals on my face was pleasant, yet painful. But then again, it was better than climbing up the mountain and probably getting killed in the process.

And it was already better then Heaven.

Landing on the platform a thousand feet above the ground was not a thrill for me. Not only was there no safety harness, but it was a reindeer. And it was cold. And I was at the North Pole.

“Um, Santa?” I started to get his attention, feeling really awkward with it. “Why would God send me here?”

“Well, I’ve heard that your friends and family kept trying to find you and then help you escape. That wouldn’t be a good thing, considering where you’re from, so he decided that you should just be away from Heaven altogether.” He explained as a little elf with a pointy green hat approached me with some hot cocoa. “Care for some?”

“Sure.” I answered, taking it from the elf and drinking a sip. “It’s delicious.”

“Mrs. Claus made it.” He informed.

“Hey, I have a question…” I trailed as he stopped in front of a wooden door with blurry glass. “Am I on the naughty list?”

“I don’t even travel down there.” He told me, and I sighed as he opened the door wide, and I stepped through.

There was wood and machines and elves everywhere, building, painting, pressing buttons on machines, loading them, everything. The machines were covered in red and green decorations, like ribbon, bows, some sparkle here and there. There were the reindeer stables, where they were being pampered beyond relief, and there was a sleigh workshop where it was being polished and the seats were being replaced. There were toys being tested, like remote controlled cars and planes, and even a kitchen with sweets and sweets on end. The room was so large, so open, so unique. And yes, this was so much better then Heaven.

“I’m guessing you like the work stations?” He asked, and all I could do was feel my mouth drop and nod. “So does everyone else.”

“How has nobody seen this place yet? Or at least discovered it?” I asked, and he motioned for me to follow him. We traveled up multiple flights of stairs and dodging the spastic elves that ran around with toys or food or tools or whatever they were holding. Some would bump into me, and I just helped it stand back up and it would run off.