‘Tis The Season

Damon

I am known as Damon Reed, The Prince Of Hell, and I've been at this for three hundred years. Every year it's the same. My father sends me all over Earth from November 26th to December 25th. He does this because The Moiari (The Fates) foretold this. They did the same for the angels, but their window is during Lent. As above so below, truly does apply here. My father's brother rules Heaven and he too has a son. We are both destined to find our queens, but that's where the similarities between us end. If our queens were in Heaven or Hell, we would have already found them. So they must be on Earth because Earth is where those not fully born of this realm end up or those that simply refuse to choose a side spend their eternity living life after life.

I have wandered a few cities already and have not even turned up a decent conversation. I have also seen a multitude of light displays over my many trips to Earth. Christmas, ugh! Bah, humbug, I'm so with Ebenezer Scrooge on this one. Some of the light displays in this town

are very beautiful. I have always been able to appreciate beauty in all its forms. However, I must admit this one display caught my eye for a very different reason.

I take in the white-lighted reindeer dangling from a lighted tree containing what is left of Santa’s sleigh. A trail of red lights falls from the reindeer’s head and pools in freshly fallen snow. I have never seen a Christmas massacre and I doubt I ever will again. It is marvelous. I laugh because I honestly can't help myself. For once, humanity surprised me. I say out loud, “God, I'd love to meet the person behind this.”

A lady wearing a dark woolen cloak with flaming red hair asked, “What would you say to the creator?”

I wipe my tears of laughter as I look her in the eyes. She is very pale, with gothic makeup and soulful eyes. I sense that I can be honest with her. “Well, first,it's brilliant. It reflects the dark side of this holiday. It shows the enslavement of reindeer, the oppression of elves and the self-serving nature of one man who takes all of the credit. Also, I'm glad there isn't a cross or a baby Jesus in sight.”

“Why do you think they chose not to have anything religious?” she asks.

“Because there's far more to this holiday, not to mention the Christians stole it from cultures far older. They twisted it and it became what you see today. The celebration of joy for a prosperous year, the slumber of gods as winter solstice begins, bonfires, decorating with holly, mistletoe, evergreen boughs, ritual sacrifices, feasts, and gift-giving have been replaced with debt, envy, and disparity, all hidden beneath fake smiles and disingenuous cheer.”

She laughs, “Well shit! Merry fucking Christmas to you!”

We both laughed. I extended my hand, “I'm Damon.”

“Ana,” she replies as she takes my hand and shakes it. “I'm one of the creators.” She's interesting for a halfling. I wonder if she knows that she's part demon, but anyway, she'll make for good company this trip. “How'd you like to meet the other creator? I'm due to meet her for drinks.”

“Sure.” I am highly curious to discover whether Ana’s friend is human or not. People bustle around us as we talk and walk. Children whine, cry, beg, and scream for toys and candy while parents struggle to not lose their last bits of sanity. As we pass them by, we can only shake our heads and laugh.

“A circus, isn't it?” she giggles.

“It is.”

She looks over at me for a moment, “You're not from here, are you?”

“No, just passing through.”

Ana sighs, “Too bad, there's a ton of mischief we could get up to.” Yeah, Ana, I can agree with that. I just met you, but I feel as if we have known each other before.

I laugh, “I bet, but who'd bail us out?”

“Her!” Ana exclaims as she runs up and hugs this blonde woman. I get closer and then I see her.

Oh, hell!!