They See You When You're Sleeping

(A fun combination of narrative storytelling and screenwriting. Each part switching between formats.)

What happened Christmas Eve, 1992?

My parents insist that it was Santa Claus, but I knew better even then. I don't bring it up much, but when I do it's always weird. Both of them try to avoid the subject. My Mom especially gets nervous. She tries to act all chipper and full of Christmas spirit every year, but I can see the fear in her eyes.

When she would get excited for us kids and point to the sky for Santa's sleigh, her smile fades the moment her eyes meet the stars. Her hands would tremble, her voice would shake. Just the mere mention of Santa would make her nervous.

All I can remember was how bright the lights were that night. The truest and brightest red and green I've ever seen. That's when 6:30 p.m. turned into 9:30 in a split second. The split second that changed my family forever.