You've Been Jingled Novels & Stories

He was about to slam the door open when— A furious voice behind him rang out, sharp and trembling. “What did you just say? The pup isn’t Kane’s?!” Jennifer. Her face was ashen. Her lips trembled. And in her hand—the silver rattle she had just proudly secured—slipped through her fingers and crashed to the marble floor with a hollow, devastating clang. ********

I look up and catch Zade staring again. My nerves spike. My elbow nudges my water glass and it tips, spilling toward him. “Shit,” he mutters, jumping back. The staff rushes in, cleaning it quickly. I inhale deeply. Lola rubs my back. “You okay, baby girl?” “I’m okay,” I whisper. “Just nervous.” “You’ll be alright.” Janine sets her fork down. “So you’re saying the hospital stole your jewelry? Who steals from a baby?” I shrug. “I don’t know.”

he pressed his lips, suppressing a smile. “Oh!” My eyes widened, and I shook my head vehemently. “Umm… That’s not exactly correct.” I used the remaining strength I had to take the ring off my finger, and when I succeeded, I gave it to Jocelyn and thought of an excuse for why it was in my possession. “I… umm… we sort of tried it on my finger, and voila…” I chuckled nervously. “It fits.”

"I don't believe you. This is some sort of trick." "Yes, of course you're right, it's the same trick I used so you would understand Thule, a language you've never heard before, ensured you flatlined in the ambulance on your way to the ER, and made your wounds vanish into thin air. Oh man, I have been busy." Juke leaned forward, laboring his breath.

I was going to become a gem all on my own. Just then, Queenie suddenly yanked the strap of my shoulder bag. The medical journal Mom left me fell straight to the ground, pages flying everywhere. Rage surged through me. I didn't know where the strength came from, but I raised my arm and slapped Queenie hard across the face. She stumbled backward and let out a dramatic cry. "Nigel! Save me!" Nigel's expression changed in an instant. He rushed to catch her in his arms and then turned around and kicked me in the stomach.

The fragments fell back into the box. The pendant was completely destroyed. At the same instant, her golden filigree evening bag began vibrating violently with an incoming international call.

Nina carried her plate of noodles over and asked, “Anna, what’s this singing thing?” “It’s just a wristband,” Anna answered in an unbothered tone. However, she could not help but break out into a smile. She quickly took out her eye drops and applied them to her eyes. “It’s such a beautiful wristband.” “Oh, it’s not pretty at all! It’s all black and doesn’t look good at all.” “If you don’t think it looks good, you should give it to me. I like listening to this ‘Jingle Bell’ song. It’s so cheerful and instantly changes one’s mood.”

“What do you want?” Jin shot me a baleful glare. “What took you so fucking long, you couldn’t answer all this time I’ve been knocking?” I dangled the headphones blaring loud metal music from my fingers and said simply, “I had these on and it has a noise cancelation feature and you didn’t answer my question. What the hell do you want? It must be something serious enough to warrant you almost breaking my fucking door.” Jin shot me a dirty look then glanced at the headphones dangling from my fingers before gazing into my room, hunting for something. “Is there something or someone in your room?”

Music tinkled from within, a playful, bouncy melody that promised laughter and mischief. Jaden’s face lit up as soon as he entered. “Look! They have props!” He ran ahead, grabbing a small hat with oversized flowers and plopping it onto his head. His grin stretched ear to ear. Juliet picked up a tiny feather boa, draping it over her shoulders like a princess. Her laughter was soft and musical, rising and falling like the tide. “Mommy, you should wear this!” Jaden called, holding out a pair of giant glasses. “You’ll look funny!”

JC went out of the café to breathe fresh air. He paused and stood at the door thinking. Then he went back inside. With no place to go, he used the remaining coin to dial another number. “Hello,” Kate answered in her classic soft voice. “Hello, Kate. It’s JC here. I’m outside in a café. Can you meet me here?” “Are you ok? You sound weird, JC. Am I wrong?” “You’re right. I am worried as hell.”