It always snowed at Christmas, and it was one thing Fiona detested.
A white Christmas was one of the remaining bits of magic the festive season had over her. This Christmas, she needed to get rid of it once and for all.
Witnessing the arrival of the angels every Christmas Eve had helped keep the magic alive. But last year the angels seemed different; different to how they had always appeared to Fiona. Last year, the first Christmas Fiona hadn’t believed in the magic, the angels had refused to show their faces to her.
“You’re too old to be hanging up Christmas stockings,” Fiona yelled at her daughters as they approached the fireplace. “And you can lay the table and cook tomorrow’s dinner if you want to celebrate. Christmas Day is now going to be like any other day. The magic of Christmas no longer exists.”
At the stroke of midnight that night, Fiona made her way out of the house. Would the angels show their face this year?
It wasn’t long before the warm globes of light appeared. The angels had come back and made their way to the only part of the garden where virgin snow lay. It hadn’t snowed for two days, yet the footprints Fiona had made in that part of the garden were no longer visible.
“You’re not real! Why don’t you show me your faces anymore? There’s no such thing as the magic of Christmas,” she shrieked, as all but one of the angels touched the undisturbed snow and melted into it. As the winter air chilled Fiona’s bones, the last angel turned around and beckoned her towards it.
Doing all she could to stop herself moving towards the creature, its ugly face made Fiona want to scream, but nothing but a silent screech came out of her mouth. She tried thinking about the magic of Christmas in the hope the creature would go away, but her body refused to stop moving. By the time she reached it, its terrifying face had melted away.
Fiona’s heart raced. Had they gone?
A noise from behind her forced her to turn around and look back at the house. Now, before her, the whole garden was full of untrodden, virgin, snow, yet it had not snowed.
As she made the first hesitant steps towards the house, Fiona’s journey abruptly stopped. From underneath the snow, a hand appeared and grabbed her ankle. Her screams went unheard as the warm hand pulled her into the world of non-believers.
Fiona’s last sight of the magical world she had once believed in was that of a stout figure, dressed in red with a long white beard, standing on the roof of the house.
“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas,” laughed the figure, as the final remains of Fiona melted into the virgin snow.
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Hugh's Views & News 
“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.” – Quote by Dr. Seuss
Have a wonderful Christmas and joyous days ahead with warm laughter. Take care.
Thank you. You too.
This is sad I say let the magic go on
The year has been hard, The suffering true.
But I will survive. Because I have you
Merry Christmas y=to one and all from Mr. Ohh!
Spread Holiday Laughter
If you’re a believer, the magic will always be with you. ‘May the magic be with you.’
Season’s Greetings.
Here’s to the magic forever
Creative story. 🙂
Thank you.
A scary tale Hugh! I’m going to stay out of harms way by believing in magic this year. Happy Christmas. X
Good to know, Marje. The magic is with us all year long but gets renewed every Christmas Eve.
Have a lovely Christmas. 🎄
xx
There was a lovely magical moment here in Cambrudge just while we were opening the presents. The snow fell it only latest a few minutes but was so lovely! Merry Christmas Xxx
That was magic indeed, Marje. Enjoy the rest of the festive season. 🎄
xx
Oh, dear. I’m happy it doesn’t snow here, as I’m not much of a Christmas present even in normal circumstances. Have a good Christmas and take care! ♥
Thank you, Olga. You too.
xx
Hi Hugh – I’m to sending a special Christmas wish to you and your partner. Stay safe and healthy. HUGS
Many thanks, Chuck. Merry Christmas to you. 🎄
Hugs.
Fantastical story Hugh! I love the theme for the non believers and the magic entwined. A wonderful twisted Christmas tale. Merry Christmas my friend. ❤
Thank you, Debby. I couldn’t let Christmas 2020 go by without a story with a bit of a twist in it. Let’s hope all the twists that 2020 gave us begin to unravel throughout 2021.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Amen to that Hugh. Happy Christmas ❤
Those who don’t believe in magic or wonder or Christmas spirits and angel… well, they get what they deserve! 🙂
Yes, as shown in this short story. The magic is everywhere, especially today.
So that’s what happens to non-believers – so glad I still believe in the magic of Christmas 🙂
Yes, that’s what happens to all those non-believers, Mary. I’m glad I’ve always been a believer.
So that’s what happens to non-believers. I always wondered. Good thing I believe. 🙂
Indeed, it is, Norah. But I’d never have you down as a non-believer. I’ve seen the magic in your flash fiction.
That’ll teach her!
Terri Webster Schrandt, I hear those bells too – especially after a mulled wine or two. Cheers!
Have a Cool Yule everyone.
I agree, Cathy. Everybody should believe in magic.
Seasons Greetings. 🎅
Well happy christmas to you too. Lovely heart warming story as expected!
Well, it is Christmas. And besides, I did a heart-warming piece of flash last week. I smashed my target of writing and publishing at least two heart-warming stories over the last six years. 😁
Ha! Well done!
Okay. I think the old Hugh is back. Forget about happy endings. The last post had a glitch in it. 🙂 I think I’ll skip Christmas this year. No snow in the desert anyway! Happy holidays, my friend!
I hope you get to celebrate Christmas (even if just a little), Liesbet. The magic allows Santa to leave some of the magic regardless of where you are. I’ve asked him to leave you some extra magic in the desert.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Thank you, Hugh! That is mighty nice of you. I finally think I know where we will be for Christmas (driving there today): the desert around a tiny town called Ajo, Arizona. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you both and the pups! Xxx
Sounds the perfect place to be for Christmas for you, Liesbet. I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.
Merry Christmas to Mark, Maya and you. 🎄
A terrifying Christmas tale, indeed!! HO HO HO!!!
I’m glad you thought so, Susie.
Merry Christmas 🎄
I believe too, between Santa and the angels, there is no denying the magic of Christmas and faith to believe in it. Or else, lol 😆. Great story, Hugh! Merry Christmas 🌲
I would never have had you down as a non-believer, Terri. 😁 I hope you sent Santa your new address? Although, the magic should have already seen to it.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Oh I’m definitely a believer, Hugh. I still hear bells 🔔 and reindeer feet 😁🎅
Same here, Terri. But I only hear them just before midnight on Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to leave a carrot out for the reindeers.
Glad I’m a believer, Hugh 😉
I’m with you, Cathy. Definitely a believer.
I believe. and if I didn’t, I would after reading this 🙂
That’s the spirit, Jim. Now you can sleep safely on Christmas Eve. Sweet dreams.