Curses and Candy Canes: A Paranormal Mystery Christmas Anthology

by Tegan Maher

  "Ta-da!" What do you think? I spun with my arms outstretched to show off the look.

  "Beautiful as ever," Michael replied. "And I like those jeans."

  "Pretty sexy, aren't they?" I joked. "But this isn't anything. In fifth grade, I had this pair of red-lined black jeans. When you pegged those babies, the red was on the outside, and I was the coolest kid in class."

  "I have no doubt that's true."

  Michael and I walked into the living room and stood in front of the Christmas tree. Electricity tingled and crackled at my fingertips in anticipation. Warmth moved through my body, the heat only increasing as Michael took hold of my hand. Feeling the strength of his power join mine, I said the spell that would pull us back in time.

  Crimes are unpunished

  The world's not right.

  Cosmos guide me into the time-travel light.

  To the past I'll travel

  Absent of any time ripple.

  Nineteen eighty-nine is my time

  to solve this heinous crime.

  Chapter Two

  Whereas Michael found time travel to be exhilarating and fun, I always felt that I was going to toss my cookies if the spinning didn't stop within seconds.

  The Christmas lights from my tree swirled and blurred together. Magic pulled us backward in a free fall as we floated through time. Slowly, the swirling lights came into focus once more in front of a Christmas display that was much more impressive than the one in my living room. The Norway spruce before us was easily seventy feet tall, and that was only one of the trees that decorated the town. I looked up and down the sectioned off Main Street. White candles glowed from the storefronts. Poinsettias hung in baskets from every streetlamp. Fires roared in metal pits complete with self-serve smores stations on the side. Christmas carolers serenaded townsfolk as they walked by with their cups of hot chocolate and candy canes in hand. And if that wasn't enough, there even was an honest to goodness corral filled with eight prancing reindeer. If one of their noses glowed, my mind would officially be blown.

  "Ho! Ho! Ho! Welcome to Holiday!" Santa Claus walked up and down the center of the street, ringing a bell from his white-gloved hand. Mrs. Claus accompanied her husband, her arm looped with his, as she waved to everyone.

  "Wow, is this place the perfect Christmas town or what?" I said.

  "And tomorrow, Christmas doesn't come," Michael replied flatly.

  "I know, sad, isn't it?" I surveyed the town once more, but it's not like the Christmas Curser was about to jump out and identify themselves. However, that thought did give me an idea. "If it's a curse, we’re most likely looking at a witch, right?"

  Michael nodded his head, knowing where I was going with this. "We need a way to identify who are witches."

  "My train of thought exactly. Let's cast an identification spell and go from there." I looked over my shoulder. "How about over in between those shops? We shouldn't draw attention there."

  Michael nodded.

  We walked toward the shops, holding hands, like any other regular couple. Only when no one was looking did we slip in the small alleyway between Mrs. Claus’ Bakery and A Piece of Ewe yarn shop.

  "You work the spell, I'll keep a lookout."

  "Deal." I closed my eyes. Michael held onto my hand, lending me his energy. Witches were always stronger together. My power was at the ready from our recent time jump. It uncoiled in a breath, the warmth leaving me toasty in my festive sweater. I took a deep breath and on the exhale said,

  Magic forces far and wide,

  enchant this town so those can't hide.

  Allow this witch to see outside,

  so she can reveal the evil inside.

  "Did it work?" I asked, opening my eyes and peeking out into the street. A soft glow, halo-like, sparkled above a couple of the townspeople right off the bat. Thankfully, only Michael and I could see the glow as our magic had cast the spell. If not, I'm sure the scene would've caused quite a commotion

  "How about we split up I'll tackle those two ladies over there," I motioned to an older lady sitting alone on a park bench and another woman who appeared to be running the PTO booth in the center of town square. "And you tackle that group of warlocks?" I nodded to the group of three teenagers. Whispering together, they just looked like trouble.

  As I approached the older lady sitting alone, I saw a deep scowl on her face and decided a detour was in order.

  "Two large hot chocolates, please," I said to the vendor.

  The young man was working the hot chocolate cart by himself, and while everyone else seemed festive, this poor guy seemed down right down in the dumps. I knew I was pressed for time, but I hated seeing someone looking so sad. Maybe I could spread some Christmas cheer.

  "Is everything okay?" I asked.

  "What?" The young man looked up from pouring the cocoa. I searched out the twenty-somethings face. Had he been crying?

  "Are you okay? You seem a little down," I said.

  "Oh." The guy sighed. "It's nothing. My girlfriend dumped me," he mumbled.

  "On Christmas Eve? That's pretty harsh," I said before I could stop myself.

  "Tell me about it." The guy fished a velvet box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a diamond ring.

  "Ouch. I'm so sorry."

  He shrugged. "Said she could never marry someone who sold hot chocolate for a living. She didn't listen when I told her it was just a temp job. I'm going to find something else real soon."

  I tried not to pity the poor guy, but it sounded like he lucked out when she said no. I've never been married, but I have been in love, and it seemed like this guy's girlfriend didn't know the meaning of the word.

  "Do you think if I get a new job, she'll take me back?"

  "I don't know."

  “What if it makes a lot of money and I can buy her whatever she wants?” he added.

  "Do you really want to be with someone who only loves your money?" I replied.

  The guy blinked up at me. He still had so much to learn. I couldn't impart any wisdom, but I could ease his heartache. Usually, I reserved altering people's memories when I need to cover my tracks, but it was after all Christmas Eve, and this guy could sure use some Christmas magic.

  "What was your girlfriend's name?" I asked

  "Stacy," the guy replied with a sigh.

  I placed my hand on top of the vendor's and sent a little jolt of power through it. The sadness etched on his face disappeared and was replaced with a daze. I only held on for a second. If I held on too long, he wouldn't even remember his own name.

  Letting go, I said, "Well, it's a good thing you're not dating Stacy anymore."

  "It is?" The guy blinked.

  "Of course. You deserve someone who will love you for you. It doesn't matter how much money is in your bank account. You are far better without her, and I just know you're going to find someone who will love you unconditionally. So don't be sad. Keep that ring in your pocket and you’ll find Mrs. Right before you know it.

  "I'll find Mrs. Right," the man repeated.

  "You will, and you two will live happily ever after." I hoped. I handed a couple of dollars over and picked up the hot chocolates. "Merry Christmas," I said over my shoulder.

  "Merry Christmas," the guy replied with a genuine smile.

  Now to tackle the older woman sitting on the bench.

  "You look cold." I handed one of the hot chocolates over and was about to add, here's something to warm you up, when the witch snapped back.

  "Well, it's wintertime, isn't it?" The witch took the hot chocolate in one hand and pulled her wool coat closed with the other.

  "This is true, but that doesn't mean you have to be cold sitting alone on a park bench on Christmas Eve now does it?"

  "I like being alone. It's all these people running up and down the streets of my town that I don't like." Ah, now we're getting somewhere, I thought.

  "Not a fan of Christmas, huh?" I replied, sitting beside her.

  “Oh, I like Christmas
all right, but I don't like what it's doing here. Have you ever heard of a millage increase to pay for Christmas?"

  "They raised your taxes to foot the bill for this?"

  "Foolish, isn't it? Christmas isn't about decorating your town head to toe in twinkly lights, but does that foolish mayor of ours realize that?" The witch motioned to Mr. Claus, parading down the street. "No! He only cares about how many people he can rope into coming here."

  "There are a lot of people here," I looked around at the busy street. "Why not just stay home?"

  "I wish I could. My son drags me here every year. Thinks I shouldn't be alone on Christmas Eve. It doesn't bother me none, and I told him that time and time again, yet he still insists I come."

  Just then, a middle-aged man walked towards us with two young kids in tow. They were a little boy and a little girl, probably around eight and six years of age. At the sight of the children, the witch's countenance changed drastically. Her eyes brightened, and the scowl on her face was replaced with a smile.

  "You must be her son," I said when the trio joined us.

  "That I am. I'm sure my mother told you all about me."

  That comment got a laugh out of me. The older witch removed two candy canes out of her wool coat and handed one each to her grandkids.

  "I think it's sweet that you don't want her to stay alone on Christmas," I said, standing.

  "Thanks. It just wouldn't be the same without my mom here with us on Christmas Eve. Besides, look at her," the man lowered his voice. "I know she loves it, too." I looked back at the older witch and had to agree. "Well, Merry Christmas," I said, lifting my hot chocolate up in a cheers-like motion.

  "To you as well."

  I left the family to continue their Christmas tradition and meandered over to the second witch. I watched from afar as she worked the crowd. The PTO was apparently running a fundraiser, selling wreaths to raise funds for a new middle school gym floor.

  "How about two wreaths? Aren't these beautiful? They make great gifts!" the woman's enthusiasm could be heard from afar. Her hair was perfectly permed and set into place, no doubt courtesy of a can of Aqua Net.

  I looked down and saw she had the same tightly rolled pants as I did only she was rocking the slouchy socks and shiny pennies tucked into a pair of loafers. With a megawatt smile, she chatted up everyone who she could within earshot.

  She didn't even wait for me to approach the table. "Did you had a chance to buy a wreath yet? It's the perfect holiday decor. Let me tell you, it matches everybody's style!" She hollered my way. A teenager with a faint glow above her head looked down with embarrassment. I'd bet any money she was her daughter—a young witch who had yet to come into her powers.

  I walked the rest of the way to the table. "Yeah, they look great," I said.

  "How many would you like, two or three? Are you having a household full of visitors, or are you traveling tomorrow? They make a lovely gift."

  "How about one for now," I replied.

  "Okay, but if you change your mind, come back quick. I have a feeling we're going to run out tonight. Would you like a burgundy or gold ribbon?" The woman motioned to the two bows on the display wreaths.

  "How about the burgundy."

  "Excellent choice. Jessica, can you get this nice young lady a wreath with a burgundy ribbon."

  The young witch wouldn't meet my eye as she handed the wreath over. I gave her mom twenty bucks, said thank you for the wreath, and turned to walk away thinking that the woman was normal as could be, and definitely not about to curse the entire town when I bumped right into the mayor.

  "Everything all right?" he asked, eyeing me with a slightly worried expression.

  "What?"

  "At the PTO booth. Was everything all right there? I saw you chatting with Mrs. Halloween for a bit."

  I looked back at the woman behind me. "Mrs. Halloween?"

  "I promise you we did not skip Halloween. No matter what Vicki says. The kids still went trick-or-treating. There were just a few Christmas lights up. I don't know what she expects me to do. Every year the celebration gets bigger and bigger because that's what our guests expect and you can't disappoint them now, can you?”

  "No, I suppose not," I replied.

  "Well, I'm glad you see things from my perspective. It's not easy organizing all this. The lights, the carolers, the candles —it's all me. And let me tell you, it takes months and months of planning." The mayor pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his sweating brow.

  Mrs. Claus joined us at that moment. "Is everything all right, dear?" She looked over to her husband, nervously.

  "Yes, yes. I was just making sure our guest here was finding everything to her liking." Mrs. Claus looked at me to answer the question.

  "It's beautiful. You do a wonderful job," I assured her.

  "It's all Sandy here." Mrs. Claus patted her husband's chest. "I just have to dress up every now and then and keep the cookies coming,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. "Now, why don't you come over here and have some water, dear. You've been walking up and down the street all evening. I'm sure you're tired."

  "Oh, I'm fine," Sandy waved his wife away.

  "Come now. Even Santa needs a rest."

  I let Mrs. Claus lead Santa away, and I looked back at Mrs. Halloween. Could she be holding a grudge at the mayor? Guess I better find out.

  Chapter Three

  "Nice wreath," Michael said when he rejoined me.

  "Thanks. It's for your sister," I replied, handing it over. "So, what did you find out?"

  "Just a game of truth or dare." He motioned to the group of warlocks.

  "Anyone dare them to curse the town?" I asked, hopefully.

  "I don't think they could curse a pimple off their noses," Michael replied. "What did you find out."

  "I have one lead. The woman at the PTO booth. The mayor, dressed as Santa Claus there, called her Mrs. Halloween, but her name's Vicki. The mayor said something about having to decorate the town before Halloween this year. I don't think Vicki was too happy about it."

  "I wouldn't be either. That's ridiculous. Next thing you know, they'll go right from the Fourth of July to Christmas." I didn't have the heart to tell my boyfriend about Christmas in July sales or how early stores hyped up the holidays these days.

  I looked over at the PTO booth, and Vicki was nowhere to be seen. "Great, where did she go?" I looked up and down the street, back over to the hot cocoa vendor—who I was happy to say looked much merrier than when I first met him—and even over to the fire pits where parents with younger kids were roasting marshmallows, but no sign of Vicki, or her daughter. Mrs. Halloween just jumped to the top of my suspect list.

  "C'mon, let's go find her," I said to Michael, taking his hand.

  It took about twenty minutes, but we eventually found Vicki over at the Make and Take stand. She was standing next to a warlock, the top of his head glowing the same as hers, as she watched over her daughter, Jessica, painting an ornament with her friends. Michael and I walked over, pretending to be interested in creating our or own keepsake, but in reality, we were just eavesdropping.

  "Cookies, ornaments, Santa Claus, please tell me it's almost over," Vicki complained. Her daughter looked over her shoulder, clearly hearing everything her mom was saying. Her face turned the same color as the crimson bulb she was decorating.

  "I know, honey, I hate Christmas too." The man replied, sympathetically. With his dark hair and eyes, and black wardrobe, I had a feeling this was Mr. Halloween.

  "It's the worst, isn't it?" Vicki added.

  "Just stick with the plan. A couple more hours, and we can kiss Christmas goodbye." With that statement, the man bent down and kissed Vicki on the top of her head.

  "You're right. I just need to focus on that. Guess I better get back to selling those stupid wreathes," Vicki said as she turned to walk away, completely ignoring us and her daughter who was mortified.

  My eyes were wide, looking at Michael. Vicki had to b
e the Christmas Curser, I was sure of it. But short of a bad attitude, I had no evidence to issue an arrest. We were going to have to stick to her like glue until she made a move and then pounce.

  But before I could relay my plan to Michael, chaos broke out in the crowd. Coming down the street and running full tilt was Sandy, the mayor, still dressed as Santa Claus, and hot on his tail were his precious reindeer. Sandy didn't call after them by name; no, he was too busy running for his life as the deer galloped behind him. Tourists and townsfolk stood horrified, unsure of how to help or where to run to. For my part, my mind raced for a spell that could freeze the reindeer in their tracks.

  As it turned out, there was no need for magic as the call for Christmas sweets was too great for the reindeer to pass up. Tonight I learned that reindeer would rather munch on Mrs. Claus’ sugar cookies than chase a man in a big red suit. The bakery was selling cookies out front of the shop and the reindeer were making crumbs out of her display. The animal handler was just a few steps behind them and worked to herd his charges away from the cookie table and back to their corral. Where in the distance, I saw the group of teenage warlocks snickering.

  "Looks like somebody dared someone to unlock the reindeer cage," I remarked.

  "At least they didn't curse anyone," Michael said.

  I suppose that was true. Michael and I walked over to check on Sandy to make sure that everything was okay. Mrs. Claus was already there, fussing over him. "Are you sure you're all right, dear. I think you should really let them call the paramedics. You know your heart is not as strong as it used to be, and you are running mighty fast back there."

  "Now, don't you worry. I'm just fine," Sandy said out of breath.

  "At least take a rest for a minute," Mrs. Claus suggested.

  "I have a thermos of hot cocoa around here somewhere. That'll pick me up. Besides, it's about time to kick off the carols." Sandy looked at us with excitement. I could've sworn I heard Mrs. Claus mumbled something that sounded an awful lot like heaven help me.