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ELVES VANISH INTO THE NIGHT: Santa’s Mischief Makers Abandon Children’s Hospital
North Pole Gazette
By Sparkly Sprinkles
In a shocking display of cruelty, the four so-called “Top Shelf Elf” recipients have abandoned the children’s hospital, forcing 6 friendly, but exhausted elves to finish the season. This reporter caught one of the replacements, Giggles, saluting these tyrants before sending the rest of his crew out to finish the, rather lame, light display. One can only imagine what these deserters are up to. Whatever it is, this reporter is on the hunt!
This is a developing story.
***
“And you are sure we can trust Flip?” Nim asked doubtfully. “He seemed a little…high-strung.”
“That may be,” answered Glitter. “But he is one of the finest Wood Elves I know. He would not steer us wrong.”
“Then where is this labyrinth?” asked Figgy. “He said it was just down the path, and we’ve been walking for…”.
“Five minutes, Figgy,” said Lil. “We’ve only been walking for 5 minutes.”
“Besides,” said Nim. “Flip said it would be conceal—AGHHHHHHHHHHH!”
Suddenly, Nim fell straight through the snow path. The other elves tried to stop, but one by one they too fell into the widening hole in the snowy path. Glitter, vainly trying to grab the snow with her hooves, toppled in after the others. They all landed with a muffled FLOOF! Then watched in horror as the hole above them quickly filled in with snow.
“We’re trapped!” screamed Pixie.
“Calm down, everyone!” shrilled Nim.
“I have a confession. I stole the last candy cane from Nim’s locker!!” shrieked Figgy.
“Get a grip!” shouted Lil.
Everyone, including Glitter, immediately stopped and stared at Figgy who shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
“Where are we?” asked Nim.
Glitter looked carefully around the space. “I think it might be…yes! It’s the entrance to the labyrinth!”
Cantering over to a glowing doorway, the others carefully following, Glitter inspected the opening. “Looks safe enough.”
Lil peered through. “I see tall walls. It looks like a maze!”
“All for one?” asked Nim.
“Nim, please, PLEASE, stop quoting The Three Musketeers,” said Lil.
“One for all,” whispered Figgy as he exchanged a high five with Nim.
Lil and Pixie rolled their eyes.
“Enough chatter,” brayed Glitter. “Let’s go!”
Once they all crossed the threshold, the doorway behind them closed with a loud WHOOSH! Again, they found themselves trapped with nowhere to go.
A soft, melodic voice drifted around them…
Amid twists and turns where shadows play,
A thing of keys, points the way.
Unlocking secrets, with a hint so smart,
What am I, guiding your heart?
“Er…love?” ventured Nim.
“I don’t think so,” said Lil.
“Maybe…a keyring?”
“Nah,” said Figgy. “It says keys in the riddle, that wouldn’t be the answer.
“Ok Mr. Smarty Pants,” said Pixie. “What do you think the answer is?”
“Let’s see. Keys…secrets…and hearts.” Figgy tapped his chin. “I know! It’s a rubber chicken!”
Pixie and Lil stared at Figgy as he started searching through the snow for a rubber chicken. Nim, meanwhile, burst out laughing.
Glitter shook her head. “No, Figgy. It’s a map.”
As soon as she uttered “map” a slight breeze swooshed down the labyrinth and a detailed map fluttered to the snow.
“Oh,” said Figgy, abandoning his search.” Well, I guess that would work too.”
Lil reached down, picked up the map, and smiled triumphantly. “We go left!”
All 5 friends turned left and found themselves trekking down a long, twinkling trail. They walked, and walked, and walked some more eventually coming to a long, winding river. It was too wide to cross and too rough to swim.
“Now what do we do?” grumbled Pixie..
As soon as she asked, the river turned bright white, freezing over into a solid sheet of ice.
“That was easy,” said Figgy as he started to take a step.
“Figgy, wait!” shouted Nim. Too late. They watched in horror as an elf-sized rectangle of ice encased Figgy as soon as his feet touched the river.
He was trapped.
a pinch of homestead 