Carnival: Carol of The Bells

A young man named Alex was bored on a bus taking him to his childhood home. The snow was light but the bus was silent. His older sister, Mary, was supposed to get on at the next stop. Though it had been five years, it felt longer. Yet, he was somewhat excited to see her and their dad. He remembered that his last Christmas with his family was also the last time he saw his mother alive.

He tries not to think about it. Deep down, he blames his father for being at work instead of being with her at home. Deeper down, he blames himself for not knowing how he could have saved her.

As the bus came to a stop, Alex spotted a white deer in the distance. He was mystified by the flawless white fur, large elaborate antlers, and very light blue-like eyes. So much so, the rest of the world seemed to disappear. He was brought back with a tearful,

“Alex?... Is that really you?”

Alex looked up at a woman that, for a moment, he thought was his mother with his father’s hair color. “Mary?” With tears welling up, Alex hugged her, “Mary!” They sat and talked, filling each other in on the missed five years.

“So… how’s dad?”

“He’s old. After you… left. Dad buried himself in his work. In a bad way but suddenly in a good way. He even moved up in his construction job.”

“That’s great for him.” Alex scoffed.

“It is great. So great that he’s bought at least one of every merchandise with your characters on it.”

“... What?...”

“One day out of the blue, he saw a character on a sticker and instantly recognized it as a character you used to draw all the time. He started tracking down your artwork. If you drew it, worked on it, or even named it. Dad bought it in one shape or form. In a way, you succeeding got him to be more attentive. So I have you to bl… thanks for making our dad a fat nerd.”

“Dad’s fat now?!”

“Oh yeah. Almost completely Santa. Just needs the white hair.”

They shared a laugh together as Alex began to think that it would be nice to have a family again. The bus swerved and jerked to a stop. The driver got up and apologized.

“We’re going to be awhile. I think I hit a deer. But if you follow the path ahead, you’ll end up at Les Cloches. It’s a small town known for its bell-shaped fruits and huge Christmas celebrations. If anyone wants to go ahead of me, be my guest. The locals are jolly. If you want to stay on the bus, that’s fine too. But I'm sure I will need to go into town for help.”

Mary convinced Alex to go into town with her. Mary’s reasoning being that if the people are really into Christmas they will definitely have hot chocolate, his favorite drink. Alex didn’t tell her that he stopped drinking it since he left because it always reminded him of the last Christmas with their mom. It began to snow as they walked into town and were in awe. Mary called it a Christmas Wonderland. Alex called it the inside of a snow globe. After asking some locals, they were able to find a cheap cafe. They found it odd that everyone they’ve seen so far had icy blue eyes and wore some kind of hat. Even joking that maybe they should buy souvenir hats to blend in. Alex began to think it wouldn’t be so bad. That was until, Mary touched his hand,

“Alex… We don’t blame you.”

Alex teared up as he pulled away from her. She tried to explain herself but he ran off. He ran out of town to the notice of the locals. Everyone at the cafe stared at her to see if she would go after him. Her hesitation became the choice to give him space. A local came over to comfort her.

Alex ran into the nearby forest. Memories of that night began to flood in.

12 year-old Alex danced around in the kitchen, to the delight of his mother. As his mother began to make hot chocolate for them, the overly excited and happy 12 year-old bumped into his mother.

Alex heard the sound of bells behind him as he ran. Thinking his sister was looking for him, Alex ran faster.

12 year-old Alex watched as his mother screamed from the hot milk spilled on her. He watched in horror as she slipped on it and fell neck first onto the tile. His mother reached out, “It’s okay baby. Mommy’s a little hurt but needs her pump.”

Alex fell into the snow and hid behind a tree to avoid being spotted. The bells stopped. Alex looked out from behind the tree, only to see the white deer staring him down.

“Heeey. I won’t hurt you if you don’t hurt me. Deal?”

The deer bowed its head, allowing him to pet it. Moving closer, it made bell sounds with every step.

“So that was you, huh?”

Alex petted it, it nuzzled his hand.

“I guess we both need a friend.”

The deer led Alex away. Off the path.

12 year-old Alex began to cry, “You just need air right mommy? I learned a trick at school. Watch. I can help!”

“No baby, please. Just my inhaler.” she said in between gasps.

Ignoring her word, Alex attempted CPR. 16 year-old Mary walked into the house sometime later. To see Alex still doing chest compressions.

“Alex?...”

“Mary… Mommy’s not breathing…”

“Alex! What did you do this time?! Mom!”

“I didn’t...”

“Move!” she interrupted, pushing him aside. “Mom?! Mom! Alex for once, be useful! Call dad! I’ll call an ambulance!

“But I…”

“Alex! I don’t have time for your excuses!” she snapped. “Call..” Mary shivered. “Alex?”

Mary saw the front door open but no 12 year-old Alex.

At the cafe, Mary finished telling her side of the story to a young woman in a red dress with white trim and a Santa hat.

“Mary did you know, that baby boy would not grow to be a man?”

Mary looked up from her hot chocolate to the young woman.

“Mary, did you know that young boy struggles to trust others of all ages?”

“No, I was…”

“Mary did you know, he’ll continue to run his entire life?”

“You think I can change that?”

“Of course. “ she smiled.

“Thanks. Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

The deer had been walking Alex around in the snow for what seemed like forever. Alex felt himself falling asleep. The deer stopped.

“There you are, Prancer. Who’s your friend?”

Alex looked up from his half-frozen eyes, “Who?”

“Oh my, you seem so sad. And afraid. Are you afraid?”

Alex nodded.

“If you like, I can save you.”

Alex, drifting in and out of consciousness, replied “Anything…”

“Wonderful! Welcome to the family Alex.”

As he passed out, he thought he saw a green mist mixed into the snow.

Mary was waiting by the town when the bus pulled up. The driver tried to convince her to get on but she refused to leave without Alex. With that, the bus drove off revealing Alex behind it. He was holding hands with the young woman she was talking with earlier.

“Alex! Carol! You found him! Thank you. I’m sorry for…”

“It’s okay sis.” he interrupted, “I understand.”

“Alex?... Are you okay?

“Never been better.”

“Your skin… it’s so pale.”

“I have been outside for a long time.”

“Your hair… It’s white.”

“It has been snowing a lot.”

“Are you wearing contacts? Your eyes are so blue.”

“I’ve never seen clearer.”

“... Okay then. Well thank you Carol but we should get going.”

“Why? We have a family here.”

“What are you talking about Alex? Dad is waiting.”

Alex walked to Mary, smiling, “We can always arrange the bus to get him.”

Carol’s eyes sparkled like fresh snow as a slight green mist began to appear around Mary and Alex.

“Alex… You’re starting to scare me.”

“It’s okay sis. Stay here with us. With me. Everyone here is family. We’ll never be lonely again.”

Alex held Mary’s hand. Her hair began to turn white. She couldn’t move. In her peripheral vision, she saw Prancer standing on her shadow. Mary looked into Alex’s eyes, and for an instant, she thought she could see a smaller Alex banging on the other side of his iris. Almost like he was trapped in a snow globe. Once Mary’s eyes were completely icy blue, she hugged her brother. Carol gave them both hats, reminding them to embrace their new family. They both kissed her on the cheek. The siblings walked into town. Carol giggled, giving Prancer a sugar cookie, “Good boy.”

Two nights later, an older man gets off the bus and walks into town. He walks up to a young man asking him if he’s seen his son Alex. The young man told him he didn’t know an Alex. The older man asked around until arriving at a cafe. Stopping for a hot chocolate. He remarked how friendly everyone was and how the hot chocolate reminded him of his dead wife’s recipe. He even remarked how the woman behind the counter sort of looked like her. As he walked out of the cafe, the woman watched him with a single tear running down her cheek. Within her eyes, Mary could be seen banging and yelling for her father’s attention. But her actual body continued serving customers as it cried and smiled. Just as the older man gave up, he heard the jingling of bells. Looking over into the distance of the snow he saw Prancer. Amazed, he tried to take a picture but it wouldn’t stay still. The older man chased after Prancer into the snow. Carol watched it all from a snow globe. Giggling, she placed it down and skipped toward the door to meet the older man. Skipping past hundreds of snow globes with people crying out for help and trying to escape from within them.