 Have you ever seen something so horrifying that you know deep down it will replay in your dreams forever? Some time ago when I was just a boy. I had one dream to finally meet the real Santa Claus That December I had been completely obsessed with photography and video and had been recording and taking pictures of everything in sight Yes, I had taken pictures of everything Christmas trees neighborhood puppies even a batch of burnt gingerbread cookies my mother had taught me how to bake earlier in the week I Was a pretty straight lace kid and I was the last kid. I knew to still believe in Santa Don't tell me I still believe that my friend Chris had said to which I replied nothing I was a stubborn little boy and I knew for a fact that if I truly just believed enough That I would indeed see something amazing after the clock struck midnight and became Christmas Day. I Was right sort of If you would like to continue living in blissful ignorance This is where you should stop listening Maybe it's better if you don't know the truth As I said carrying around a camera was my thing Ron Howard style That year on Christmas Eve I had planned to be the first child on earth to get concrete proof of Santa's existence In my young mind, I had seen newspapers and news channels around the globe showing my evidence They would interview me The little boy who had proven everyone wrong and maybe then people would finally start to believe That evening my mother and father took turns tucking me in a bed before shutting off the lights and heading back to their room They had no idea what I had planned After hearing their door closed gently with a click. I headed downstairs to scout the living room Where could I place the camera to give me the absolute best chance to get him on video? As the hours passed uneventfully I moved the camera around to record various locations the fireplace The outside window the kitchen where I had placed the poorly made gingerbread cookies. Don't judge me. I had tried my best Time continued to pass And it wasn't until I first heard the clock strike midnight that something unexpected happened. I Heard the basement door open slowly That was odd. I thought Santa was supposed to come from the chimney Part of me wanted to rush over and greet him But I found another larger part of myself Telling me to hide and wait to see what happened next. I Chose my parents new couch in the corner of the room as my hiding spot Running behind and peeking ever so slightly around its corner and towards the Christmas tree Nothing happened for a few moments and I was beginning to wonder if I had imagined the sound of the basement door creaking open all together and Then I heard the whistling But it wasn't jingle bells or anything like that No, it wasn't cheerful and it certainly didn't contain the holiday spirit The snow had started falling more steadily outside and for some reason that odd whistling had suddenly made me realize How completely isolated the three of us were out here My father had bought the small cabin some time ago the nearest neighbor being half a mile or more away It seemed even farther in a blizzard This was my first and I had been very excited about being snowed in for a few days That was until the thought occurred to me of being snowed in with something else Something that had no business being there The wind began to push against our secluded home as well seeming to hit all sides at once Wow, my parents could sleep through anything it seemed My eyes pulled away from the chaotic weather outside my home and back towards the basement door and Then I saw him Or should I say it? Coming slowly closer The figure was cloaked and seemed to float just above the living room floor Did I think about screaming? Yes, yes, I did Looking back though, I'll give myself credit. I stayed calm and perhaps this still was Santa after all I Decided to wait and see what happened It seemed that the tall figure hadn't seen me peeking out from behind the couch Because it just kept on floating towards the Christmas tree in fireplace Whatever it was it began to whistle again and this time I was able to identify the tune Silent night The melody was off rhythm and was the only time in my life that hearing a song made me feel uneasy Very uneasy. I Realize how insane this next part is going to sound if we haven't gotten there already But as I watched the tall figure near the Christmas tree, I could hear it begin to sniff deeply The tree swayed and shook against the force of the creature's nostrils and then it began to speak He had seen me There would be no hiding anymore Taking a deep breath I summoned the courage to stand Come cloak, I took a small step Cloak the snake-like voice continued. I Heeded its words Walking forward until the tall figure stood directly in front of me. I felt small in its shadow Smaller than I had ever felt Are you him? The creature made a soft almost inaudible noise Perhaps it was laughter and then pulled the cloak away to reveal itself. I Fainted When I came to the creature was still standing where it had been a soft grin plastered to its face You aren't the first one that's fainted at the sight of me You're lucky. I didn't eat you Eat me I stammered Yes But that would be only fair It's very offensive to faint at the sight of someone, you know, I said nothing Only staring up at the creature Though I've tried to forget its form with time. I can still remember it clearly It was thin Terribly thin and its face was beyond imagining Though its teeth were clearly visible. I could see no eyes and What looked like thorns protruded from the crest of its head Branches extended from the thing's body in all directions and it dragged what looked like a sack behind it To answer your question No, I not Santa Claus The creature knelt down near me and I could feel its icy breath push against my eyes and face But I know him you do The creature nodded Of course He's my brother The news that this terrifying monster was the brother of Santa took a long time for my childhood brain to process At the end of which I was probably even more confused than before How? The creature paused Well Normally I don't share such things But I admire your courage And it's been a long while since I've spoken with anyone Even a boy It smiled showing its sharp teeth And then continued For every good act in this world There is an evil one For every kind gift There must be an unkind I bring balance to the good my brother spreads I bring evil I whispered finishing his words The creature nodded as if pleased You are a smart little boy So far I'm glad I haven't eaten you My mind churned again So what evil have you brought us? There was a long silence before it replied You are very wise Are you sure you want to know? I nodded and it smiled back Very well Though my gifts will not take effect on this day Their influence will be felt through the next year and beyond It pulled out the sack that followed closely behind And set it on the floor before me There was only one gift inside Which upon a closer look Had both my mother and father's names Written neatly on a dark card that sat on top of the box Open if you dare You whispered As I knelt down next to the presence The room seemed to grow colder The wind swirling violently now just outside the foggy glass The lights flickered on and off as I began to unwrap the small box I laid the wrapping paper down neatly Piece by piece on top of the tree's red and white Christmas skirt Looking up at the creature I said two words I'm afraid Its long thin arm reached out towards me then Finally settling on my closest shoulder Though I still could not see the creature's eyes It seemed to gaze at me nonetheless It seemed to be thinking as it cocked its head from one side to the other Look upon my face little child I have been deformed and misshapen By the evils that are mine to bear I cannot change my form Any more than you can change the fate of your family All I can do Is bear it Though still afraid I was suddenly overcome with a great sympathy for the creature I'm sorry It seemed taken aback for a moment Before replying Don't be fooled little child I am not fully innocent The box before me broke open then Revealing a blinding shine of dark purple The color of a vibrant spring's first bloom It bathed the room and its deep shades As the box pulsated in front of my eyes I couldn't help it I looked I looked deep into the calling purple Into worlds unseen I saw the creatures of my nightmares Monstrous malevolent beings Some as tall as the sky above The worst of all I saw my parents It was a rainy winter day As my father drove home from work His briefcase on the passenger seat In a worried look in his eyes as he squinted through the windshield The rain came down in sheets No dad He couldn't see the large semi that had gently pulled beside him It drifted closer into his lane And then Stop I don't want to see But it was too late The truck overtaking my father and pushing his car into the bridge's guardrail I wish I could say he didn't suffer A violent wave of purple as my eyes were taken elsewhere A hospital No No please It was my mother Receiving the cancer diagnosis and lying alone in the hospital bed She stared out into the darkness I can't take this I told the creature And maybe I imagined it But to this day I think it gave a small look of pity It now closer She'll live Why did you show me this? I asked The basement door opened again with a creek And the creature fell backwards to the floor Striking its head and letting out a sigh I realized then that as terrifying as this thing was There was still one that even it must answer to I must go And whispered Pulling the cloak over its bony head And concealing its form once more I watched as it floated back towards the basement steps And then said the words I will always remember Be afraid for what is to come, child But do not let it consume you As it has me I watched its figure begin to fade away into the darkness The last proof of its existence being the soft words That carried their way through the air and into my ears For only in death and suffering Will you find life