Ascending From Madness

by Stacey Marie Brown

  Chapter 45

  “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth…”

  A voice slipped into my conscious, fluttering my lids. Awareness slowly towed me from the deep darkness, my head feeling like it had been stuffed with cotton balls. My skull throbbed, a sharp headache pulsing between my eyes. My vision took in the ceiling, the high-pitched roof, and dark stone walls. Turning my head, I saw I was in a room that had been an infirmary or had been turned into one… like we were on the Harry Potter set. Dozens of occupied single beds lined in rows through the large room, three huge windows were at the far side of the space, dim light flickered from the sconces on the wall.

  We were still in the castle.

  Jessica’s castle.

  The event fumbled through my mind like snippets of a movie.

  Shot. A bullet had gone through my chest.

  My gaze zipped down my body, expecting to feel insufferable pain. Touching the spot above my heart, it was wrapped in gauze, red stains soaking through the material. The wound was sore and tender but felt nothing like a gunshot should feel. Not that I had any experience with being shot before, but you didn’t need to have it to know it should be excruciating.

  Spicy mulled wine, what kind of drugs did they have me on here?

  “My two front teeth…” A murmur came from the floor, and I lifted my head, peering over the side. Penguin sat on the ground, creating artwork with swabs, wiggling around as he played and sang.

  “Pen?” My dry throat cracked, barely coming out a whisper. Emotion filled my eyes. He was okay.

  His head tipped up, his eyes growing wide.

  “Ms. Alice! You are awake.” He leaped up, coming to the side of the bed. “I’m so glad. You’ve been sleeping forever. I was so worried. Oh my, my, Mr. Scrooge is going to be upset he wasn’t here. But I told him I’d watch over both of you. I have so diligently looked after you guys. I mean there were a few moments when I got bored… and I guess the time I got hungry… and well I ran out of cotton balls a few other times…” Pen rattled on, but my focus was on the other person Pen had been “minding.”

  “Oh god…” I shoved the blankets away, ignoring the pain screaming through my body. I scrambled to the bed next to mine. My hands went to his face. Slow draws of air told me he was alive, but it didn’t feel solid.

  I gulped, tears choking me. “Dum…”

  His tiny figure lay in the bed, his skin pale where it wasn’t cut up and scarred. He looked to be healing, but the wounds swathed almost every inch of his skin. A bandage similar to mine was placed over a deeper injury on his hip. But it was another wound that really caught my attention. “Oh no…”

  Where a pointed ear should have been on the right side of his head was a bloody stump. Taped with dressing, the cotton was stained a dark red, almost looking black.

  “Santa thinks he’ll be okay.” Pen moved next to my leg, wrapping his flipper around my knee, making me realize I was only wearing my underwear and bra. Not that I cared. Saving my life was far more important than any modesty I might have had. Which was none. “I’m so glad you are all right, Ms. Alice. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t.”

  Wordlessly I rubbed his head, peering over the room at the filled cots. Every face I knew. Cindy Lou was sitting up, staring out the window into the darkness, her mom in the bed next to her, asleep. I knew her father was dead. I had watched it happen.

  Bea, Happy, Cupid, Comet, Donner, and a handful of elves and Whos filled the other beds. These were the survivors.

  “Is Dee okay?” I asked Pen, afraid of his response.

  “I am.” Her voice came from behind me, whirling me around. She stood at the doorway, her face covered in dried blood and cuts, but other than that she appeared fine. “I’m a warrior like you, Ms. Alice.”

  “Dee.” I opened my arms, and she darted to me, her body slamming into mine, almost tipping me back into the bed.

  “You should be resting, my dear.” Santa came in right behind her, now dressed in a gray woman’s robe, but at least it fully covered him. “Your body is still healing, absorbing the pure mistletoe extract.”

  That was why I was feeling so good and healing far faster than a human should. Mistletoe was magic. It had saved me from the holly attack, saved Dee from death when attacked by the Gremlins, and what cocooned me in magic from the gingerbread house and so many other instances. I wanted to kiss the mistletoe.

  “Sit.” My body wanted to oblige his request, but my mind was reeling with all the events and how much I could be helping instead of lying here.

  Dee’s pained expression went across the room to Happy’s still body, then back to her brother. A split second of a fight wrestled on her features before she jumped on the bed with her twin, curling in next to him. I licked my lips, staring at the pair. It was her turn to comfort her wounded sibling like he had. What these two had been through broke my heart.

  “Dum will be all right.” Santa followed my gaze. “It will be difficult, but we were able to get enough medicine in his system to save him. He will never hear out of that ear again… but he is alive.”

  I nodded. I hated he was permanently hurt, but I couldn’t deny his life was far more important than his ear. Mistletoe may heal, but it didn’t grow body parts back.

  “They all will.” Santa motioned around the room. “At least physically. The emotional damage is a different monster.”

  I understood that.

  “Sit. Please.” Santa nodded at the bed, his eyes not landing directly on me. That’s how I truly knew it was Santa and not Nick. Nick would be outright staring at my half-naked body. I lowered myself, pulling a sheet over me as Pen scrambled up next to me, humming happily. “I do not know how to express my gratitude for what you’ve done, Alice.”

  “I really didn’t do anything except fall down a hole.”

  “No, my dear, you did far more than that. As I told Mrs. Claus, you woke us up, made us realize what was most important. It took an outsider to bring magic back to this land.” He swallowed. “Dying for a better world is worthier than living in one because of fear. There is no freedom in living if you are only existing.”

  “Feel I’ve heard something similar before.” A smirk tugged at my mouth, remembering Scrooge saying the exact thing when I first met him.

  “You brought hope back to us, Alice.” Santa gripped the metal bedframe. “The most heroic act of all.”

  “Heroic?” I laughed.

  “Yes.” Santa dipped his head, a playful smile growing on his mouth. “You think anyone else could turn the bitter, hateful heart of Ebenezer Scrooge to believe in optimism and love again? That in itself is a miracle.”

  A chuckle bounced from my chest, causing me to flinch in pain.

  “Hey,” Scrooge growled sauntering into the room. “This heart is still as bitter and black as it always was.” His words didn’t match the twinkle in his blue eyes as his gaze roamed hungrily over me.

  “Sure.” Santa winked at me. “We’ll let him believe that.”

  “How are you feeling?” Scrooge stopped next to Santa.

  “Sore, but otherwise surprisingly fine.”

  “Mistletoe.” His eyebrow curved up sensually, his gaze roaming over my nakedness. “It does wonders to the body.”

  “Oh, Keebler nut sack. You two aren’t going to be like this all the time now?” Hare bounced in behind his buddy, rolling his eyes. “I will drown myself in scalding Christmas pudding.”

  “Hey, fluffy butt scrubber…” Scrooge whapped Hare behind the head. “Don’t you have some groveling to do?”

  “No.”

  Scrooge smacked him again.

  “Fine. Fine.” Hare sighed dramatically. “Sorry I shot you… though if you two keep up the whipped-cream packing in my kitchen… I’m not so sorry.”

  A burst of laughter spurted from my throat, my head shaking, as I peered around at my family. Some had a while to go, but we were all alive. Together.

  “Is Jessica gone? F
or good?”

  “Jessica will be spending eternity being tortured by the souls they murdered.” Santa lowered his head, sadness creasing his brows. “Blitzen went with her.”

  “I thought he died?”

  “He did. But that’s where his soul will reside. He does not deserve to rest. Even in death, he must face his own crimes. The lives he cruelly tortured and destroyed. Believe me…” Santa’s lips pursed, a flash of agony streaked over his face, then disappeared. “They will both be getting their just desserts.” He cleared his throat, stepping back. “There is much to do. I have a long journey to restore Winterland to what it once was. I’ve been absent for too long. I need to work extra hard to be the leader they once believed in. And Christmas is only a few days away.”

  He gave us a last nod before drifting to each bed, checking on his people, their eyes and faces lighting up at his presence, no matter what horror they just experienced. We were all quiet for a moment, watching Santa move through the room.

  I swallowed, looking up at Scrooge. “Noel?”

  Scrooge’s mouth pushed together with a slight shake of his head. “Dee said she saw him right before the final explosion. He was right in the middle of it… I’m sorry.”

  Grief expanded in my throat, emotion filling my eyes. A sob hitched in my throat, my head bowing forward. It didn’t matter I hadn’t known him well. The experience in the facility bonded us. Noel, my bright star in a dark place. I made it out of there because of him… and now he was gone.

  “Dasher too.” Dee sniffed, still curled up to her brother. “Half of the Whos and dozens of my friends…”

  “I’m so sorry.” A few tears slid down my face, the reality of death sinking in.

  “We have each other.” Pen leaned into me. Softly, he started to sing, his voice growing louder and louder until it resonated off the stone. “Please come home for Christmas… no more sorrow, no grief and pain. And I’ll be happy Christmas once again.”

  Liquid fell down my face, the song taking on a different meaning. My chest ached with pain so heavy it bowed me forward.

  “Oh my elves… look.” Dee sat up, pointing toward the window, my gaze following it.

  My mouth dropped, rising from the bed, my lids blinking, making sure I was truly witnessing what I saw. My legs moved without a thought, taking me to the window. Those awake or capable followed me with the same reverence.

  “Oh my Santa…” I trailed off, my palm pressing to the glass, watching what I took for granted every day on earth.

  The sun glowed behind the mountains, igniting them in blues, golds, and reds as it rose. Rays speared through the window, feeling as if they were going through my chest. My heart filled with awe, like I had never seen a sunrise before. Scrooge moved in beside me, his arms going around my waist as Dee, Pen, and Hare squeezed in front of us.

  Gasps and cries sounded around me, everyone taking in the spectacular sunrise. Something they had been denied for decades. Power had fully shifted. Santa Claus claimed his throne, banishing the darkness she forced on this place.

  “No more sorrow… grief and pain…” Penguin’s voice filled the space, the song going from heartbreaking to inspiring.

  So many lives had been lost, so much heartbreak and grief. I knew this place would always bear the scars of what had happened, but I knew the strength of these people. They would rebuild.

  Painted across the sky like a canvas, a new day dawned on the horizon.

  And like my rebel alliance...

  A new hope.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  Warm white lights twinkled off the tree and mantle, the flicker of flames dancing in the fireplace as soft music filled the air. Crumpled Christmas paper streamed over the floor of the family room from opening our presents earlier.

  “Ugh.” I leaned back against the sofa, rubbing my full stomach, the turkey dinner still dancing on my taste buds. “I’m so full.”

  “You’ll be asking for a turkey sandwich in an hour.” Dinah flopped on the opposite side of the sectional, groaning. “I’m gonna have to run extra far tomorrow, feels like I’m carrying a potato baby.”

  “Oh please, you had a drop of mashed potatoes and gravy.” I rolled my eyes, scooting farther up the pillows. My sister was getting ready for a marathon and taking it extremely serious. As she did everything.

  Something had changed with her since I had returned home from the “facility.” She was more restless, sometimes she’d space off as if she were looking at something. I couldn’t deny Jessica got into my head, bringing up the fact my sister could be like me. But, whenever I’d ask her, saying I was here if she needed me, she’d shake her head and say it was nothing.

  “So full…” Scott shuffled to the end of the lounge where Dinah was and fell onto her legs, stuffing another slice of chocolate-gingerbread Yule log into his mouth.

  “Oh my god, you’re having another one? What is that, your fourth?” Dinah moved to make room for her boyfriend. “You are going to be sick.”

  “I know, but they’re sooooo good.” He laid the last piece on his tongue, groaning with ecstasy. “Seriously, Alice, where did you get this? It’s the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

  A smile twitched on my mouth. “A friend makes them.”

  “We’ll your friend needs to open a bakery, so I can eat these all year.”

  “I don’t even think your metabolism could handle that.” Dinah laughed, patting his stomach.

  “I’d love to try.” He snuggled into my sister. “If your friend makes other goodies, I am more than willing to be the tester.”

  “He does.” I grinned. “Everything he makes is heavenly. He’s opening a bakery around Easter.” The property next to my shop had already been rented and was starting renovations.

  “I’m moving to New York as soon as it is.” Scott laid back his head, slouching more into the sofa, winking over at Dinah. “Right, babe?”

  She shook her head, telling him there was no chance in hell. She liked the small town. The structure, being in control. Vanilla. She liked the same routine and what to expect. New York was the opposite of that.

  “Well, thank him for us. It really was delicious.” Mom came behind the sofa, peering down at her two daughters. She looked as beautiful as ever in a fluffy green sweater and long white tulle skirt, her hair pulled back in a loose bun.

  “Best dessert I’ve ever tasted.” My father strolled up behind her, putting his arm around my mom. I had come in from the city, where I was living again, to spend Christmas Eve with them.

  My mom and sister had done a good job of pretending the events last year didn’t happen. Though what they remember and what really happened were quite different. Jessica’s peppermint syrup had faafoozooled everyone’s minds. Some parts seemed to be completely wiped from their memory. Like Jessica herself. She was taken wholly out of the scenario. All they recalled was Dr. Cane and the staff, but not her. Not even as our neighbor or how my mother fawned over her. Jessica Winters never existed.

  I couldn’t deny it. Mrs. Claus was the epitome of evil genius. When the effects of her magical syrup wore off, they took her with it. She would get off scot-free, all her wicked deeds gone because no one could recall her. And she was more than willing to throw her staff under the bus if they had been caught.

  My stint at the facility happened. Nothing could erase that from people’s memories, but since everyone there had disappeared taking the money, Mom and Dinah boasted about how we were all victims of this terrible scam. They took advantage of our vulnerability. My mother thoroughly denied they never researched the place or signed over all rights to the doctors. She is sure someone scrubbed all the medical licenses she saw, along with the website, reviews, and the approval by the APA.

  Both my mom and sister talk about that time where I was a little “lost,” and the facility was more like a weeklong therapy session for me. My father would nod and agree, but I could see it in his eyes. He remembered more than he was p
utting on. I sometimes saw pain and confusion in his expression, reminding me of when I was fighting between two realities, the truth slipping in telling you not all is what it seems.

  Funny what you will let yourself believe for it to make sense in your world.

  “Christmas movie time.” Dinah clicked the remote, the TV flaring to life. Objects moved across the screen. “Oh… maybe not this one.”

  My gaze shot to the movie playing on TV, scaly green creatures jumping across the monitor.

  Gremlins.

  “It’s fine, guys.” I smiled. “I won’t freak out this time.” I can’t say Gremlins is my favorite movie at all anymore, but this time I recalled what happened on that hill. What terrorized me before was the images I didn’t understand flashing in my head. “It’s classic Christmas.”

  “It’s okay; we can find something else.” Dinah started flipping through the channels. “This is better.”

  I burst out laughing, the cartoon Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer displayed on the TV.

  “This movie very much took Hollywood liberties.” I pushed myself off the sofa, shaking my head.

  “Huh?” Everyone peered at me strangely.

  “Reindeer games are to the death, not fun or cute… oh, and Blitzen is a sack of shit… and Clarice?” I pointed at the screen as I headed out. “Complete vapid bitch. He’s far better off with Vixen.”

  I could feel my family gaping at me as I strolled out of the room, my grin spreading over my face. Opening the sliding door, I stepped out onto my back porch. The icy air instantly soaked through my red sweater and skinny jeans, the cute outfit doing nothing to hold off the freezing temperatures.

  “Shit.” I rubbed at my arms, my knee-high gray velvet boots giving me the only sense of warmth. Sometimes I forgot how cold it got here.

  The moon glowed in the sky, daubing the backyard with a bluish white, the trees creating heavy shadows that made them feel alive. I was waiting for the day they started talking or throwing sap balls at me.

  The night was crisp and clear, the stars sparkling in the sky. It was beautiful. But only one thing held my focus. I took a few moments to appreciate the fantasy standing before me.