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Sparkly Sprinkles stirred from her slumber, the delectable scent of gingerbread surrounding her. As her eyes fluttered open, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite as sweet as it seemed.
“Good afternoon, Sparkly,” Stripes mewed, his eyes filled with amusement.
Sparkly yawned and sat up, looking around the candy coated room, getting her bearings, scheming her next move. “Thank you so much for the hospitality, Stripes. How rude of me to fall asleep.”
The cat arched an eyebrow. “Think nothing of it, Sparkly. All are welcome at the Candy Cane Cottage.”
“Ah, yes,” said Sparkly. “Speaking of ‘all’, I heard you had a few visitors recently.”
Stripes, sensing her curiosity, curled up on a licorice-patterned cushion. “I have received many visitors.”
Sparkly leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “These would have been very recent visitors. I’m searching for the four elves and the reindeer that follows them around.”
Stripes twitched his whiskers. “Yes, now that you mention it, Santa’s Mischief Makers and their faithful reindeer did stop by recently.”
Sparkly’s eyes widened with interest. “And did they say where they were going…what they were searching for?”
The Candy Cane Cat chuckled. “Nice try, Sparkly. Some mysteries are meant to unfold in due time.”
Stripes curled up on the cushion, his tail whipping around to cover his feet. “Let’s just say that the Mischief Makers are off on a little adventure.”
Sparkly, quickly losing any patience she had left, huffed. “I just want to talk to them, Stripes. That’s all. Just talk.”
“Ah Sparkly, always in pursuit of a good, juicy story,” said Stripes. “I’ve read your column, you know. I know your style.”
“My style? My style is getting to the bottom of this story. These elves and their reindeer pal are missing, Stripes. MISSING! This is the biggest story to hit the Gazette since The Grinch. And I’m going to be the reporter who breaks it. So, please, please if you know anything…tell me!”
The last bit came out as a petulant whine of frustration. Sparkly was desperate. And desperation did not look good on her.
After a long pause, Stripes appeared to give in. “Since, as a few of your more colorful headlines suggest, you’re so fond of a good mystery, how about a little hint?”
Sparkly’s eyes lit up.
Leaning closer, Stripes whispered, “Head south, where the Perilous Reindeer Always Need Knives.”
Sparkly raised an eyebrow, annoyed.
Stripes gave a sly smile. “Head South, Sparkly. You’ll find what you need if you head South.”
“Thanks, Stripes.” Without a backwards glance, Sparkly took off, heading South. The opposite direction the Mischief Makers took.
a pinch of homestead 