There must’ve been some magic in that old top hat we found; Dark Magic. It briefly brought a snowman to life. It did us small favors and let us pull trinkets from it. That was all kids’ stuff.
As we grew up, the Hat still gave us what we wanted. But it asked a higher price every time it did.
I tried to get away. I disappeared into the woods, got off the grid, and raised wards. But I can’t escape forever.
It’s Christmas Day, and I hear pounding outside the cabin door.
Thumpity thump-thump! Thumpity thump-thump!
It’s getting closer.

“snowman” by RukaKuusamo.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0