2020 Christmas Advent Calendar

Lights and Panic

Day 7: Lights

 Going to Six Flags was a new thing for the small family.

It was decided the day before that they would all get into the car and drive over to the theme park to spend the night looking at the amazing lights, enjoy a few rides, and eat some junk food.

All his boys were bundled up in their warmest clothes.

His youngest son, Tommy, wore a puffy red jacket, and his little white and red knitted hat on his head of curly blond hair. His face was starting to turn a light pink color from the cold. The small six-year-old was almost wadding from how many layers he wore, and it made the young father laugh.

Then there was his second-oldest son, bundled up in his own red jacket. It wasn't as puffy as the younger one but was a darker red color. The hood had a faux fur lining, colored a pinkish white color. The tips of the ten-year-olds brown hair were dyed pink, fading in the dark brown locks. A golden-colored beanie with a few pins sat on the locks.

And his oldest son, Wilbur was wrapped up in his brown trench coat like jacket. He wore a thick yellow sweater under his brown coat. And he wore a black beanie on his head. The thirteen-year-old was as tall as Phil was, and it made

Phil had played for them to get in when he felt Techno pull on his shirt sleeve. Looking down, he saw that the small boy looked uncomfortable. The man didn't blame him, they were in a new place full of new people. It was definitely something to worry about.

"I know buddy, it's loud," he said, pulling him close. It was freezing, and the area was covered in a light layer of snow. And there were so many people walking around, talking and laughing, and somewhere even singing along to whatever song was playing over the speakers. "Don't worry, we'll find somewhere quiet in a bit, so we can all calm down some, ok?"

He then felt another hand grab his left hand, and start to pull him along. It was Wilbur with an excited Tommy. The two were thrilled when Phil told them that they would be going to the theme park that night, to see some lights and enjoy some rides. They were most excited about the rides.

Phil grabbed Tommy's hand and made sure that Techno was still next to him, before following after his oldest son. He was glad he had made sure each of the boys was all bundled up in their winter gear, or else they would all be freezing.

They moved through the crowd, and Phil had to keep a close eye on Wilbur since he almost lost sight of him once.

The Christmas lights were bright in the dying light of the day. Lights from the light polls stuck out like a sore thumb, as holiday songs played in the air. Phil could see all the rides going back and forth in the air.

Halfway through a tunnel filled with lights, and hanging blinking ones and others that made the area filled like it was really was Christmas.

"Ok boys, what do you want to do first?" He asked, before looking down at the kids. Phil saw both Wilbur and Techno beside him, but no Wilbur to be seen. "Tommy? Wilbur, where are you?"

Panic set in.

Did someone grab him when he wasn't looking? Did the kid wander off to the bathrooms? Was he all the way on the other side of the park by now? Oh God, he could be on the other side of the park by now.

All the lights turned into a large blur as he turned around quickly to look for the boy. Phil felt like his chest was being sat on. His lungs were working.

He felt a hand rest on his shoulder. "Dad?"

It was Wilbur, still dressed in his red jacket and his red and white hat. They had moved over to a bench, Techno and Wilbur sitting beside him, while his youngest son stood in front of him.

Ok, breath, Tommy is ok. He's not on the other side of the park. He isn't missing. He hadn't been kidnapped. We are all good.

"Oh god, Toms, you almost gave me a heart attack," Phil told him, bringing the boy into a hug. The world had stopped being a blur, the lights have gone back to being in focus, and he felt like he could breathe. "Never leave us ok? I want to make sure nothing bad happens to you."

His son nodded, hugging him back. The other two joined in, glad their father was calming down. They sat for a while, just hugging and enjoying the lights of the tunnel-like structure. It was a beautiful sight, and Phil was glad he got to show his kids this.

"Come on," he said, picking up Tommy stood up. The man turned to his oldest two. "Let's go ride some rides, you lot."