Absence Of Vladimir

HAZEL -

Thank you for shopping at Waldorfs, return soon and have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!" Chirps the cashier, clad in a Santa Elf costume.

Katie, Arielle, and I exit the upscale retail shop, carrying fancy plastic bags thickened with purchased merchandise. Huxley and a dozen undercover Molotov Mafia members trailing closely behind us.

It's the holiday season and two days prior to Christmas. The shops are brilliantly illuminated and enhanced with Holiday ornaments. Mini Christmas trees embellish each corner of the pedestrian walkways. The streets are flooded by festive holiday shoppers, ecstatically piling in and out of stores. The absence of snow which I was adjusted to back in America, was the only detail missing from the exuberant setting

"Miss Katherine, we should be returning to the manor now." Huxley reminds while momentarily peering at his wristwatch. Katie nods in acquiescence and then cautiously whispers into my ears. "Let's hope Arielle forgets about meeting Sa