Genesis: KRAMPUS

6

"But what if you've been good, like, all year? And you leave out milk and cookies and do everything else right?" Jordan asked. Omi spoke exclusively in German

"'It's not what you do. It's what you believe. And what you've given up, in here.'" Max translated.

"But can't we make him go away?" Stevie asked. Omi shook her head.

"What's she saying?" Jordan asked.

"I'm not sure." Max said.

"She says we're screwed." Cora muttered.

"Eh." Max approached his sister.

"How did you--" Max asked.

"Cause I'm old enough to know when life is coming at you with his pants down. The kid's right." Aunt Dorothy winked at Cora.

"Hey. When they took Howie, what did you see up there?" Dad asked Cora.

"You believe those stories, right?" Cora asked.

"Do you?" Mom asked Dad.

"I don't know what I believe anymore." Dad said.

"I know I'm going out there to find Beth. I have to. I don't even care if I die trying." Cora stood up to leave.

"I know. Listen. Let's get Uncle Howard and Aunt Linda. I have an idea." Cora nodded. Cora walked up to the attic with Mom.

"Linda. Can we talk with you and Howard for a minute?" Mom asked.

"Can it wait? I just wanna get these rewrapped for the kids." Aunt Linda frowned.

"It's important." Cora said before turning to leave.

"The snowplow?" Mom asked as the adults and Cora crowded a map.

"The keys were in the ignition, and it was beat to hell. But if it runs, I drive it back here, then everyone piles in the car and follows while I clear a path in front of us." Dad announced.

"And go where?" Cora asked.

"The mall doubles as an emergency shelter. And if it's empty, we'll try the police station." Dad said.

"And what if they're gone too?" Aunt Linda asked.

"Then we keep driving till we see lights or people, plowed road, somewhere safe for the kids. And then we bring help back here. For Beth and Howie." Mom said.

"You're not thinking of going for the plow by yourself, are you?" Uncle Howard asked Dad.

"Well, a Shepherd's got to protect his flock." Dad smirked.

Cora heard scream upstairs. "Jordan? Stevie! Where are they? Where did they go? They were just here." Aunt Linda called.

"I think they went to the bathroom." Aunt Dorothy said.

"And you just let them go?" Cora raised her voice.

"Was there another option?" Aunt Dorothy muttered.