It’s been a while since I posted anything on the blog, let alone a story. This Christmas short story popped into my head this morning, and given it’s so close to Christmas, I decided to put it here for free rather than try to sell it. Enjoy!
2792 words (~15 minute read)
CONTENT WARNING: Mild body horror.
A Very Celestial Mix-up
(or, How a Celestial Ruined Christmas)
The moment I materialise on the mortal plane, I know something has gone horribly wrong. Though the clipboard-wielding woman standing before me is wearing a red dress, it isn’t as blood-red as I’d expect, and its white border is fluffy like polar bear fur. Far too hot, surely. Her sour expression is the only thing right about this situation.
We stand in a room full of lights, some of them blinking like we’re in the server room of a Tom Cruise spy thriller. But others are twinkling. Urg. It makes me want to vomit. That’s probably the worse sign of all.
“Follow me,” the woman says with no introduction. Aren’t I there to be her boss? A little respect would be nice.
I follow her across the room and out into a corridor so blindingly white I have to cover my eyes. It’s torture. We must be in the area for clients. That would make sense. All the garish ornaments strung from the ceiling and walls must be designed to remind clients of terrible childhoods and get all those buried feelings to the surface right where we need them.
But then we come to an open plan office. I pause at the end of the corridor, staring at the rows of tiny desks occupied by people in green. No, not people. Creatures. Fluffy white creatures that look like a cross between a harp seal pup and a Samoyed dog. Even their big void-like eyes can’t overcome their adorableness. I do my best not to be sick.
Continue reading“A Very Celestial Mix-up (or, How a Celestial Ruined Christmas)”
