(TW: child abuse, cursing)

"Who's sent you a present?" my guardian asked menacingly, as his steps brought him closer to where I was curled on the floor in the corner.

"Please, I-I didn't ask anyone for anything," I whispered, knowing from experience not to raise my voice.

I looked down at myself, even though my anxiety was screaming at me to keep my eyes on the predator in the room.

My eyes sadly saw the current condition of my life.

Blood stained my brown khaki pants, and they were tattered beyond repair; the old red flannel shirt hung loosely, discolored in many places. The initially white T-shirt under it was now a dull yellow.

My dark, straight hair was greasy and unkempt. The discolored skin on my face and body showed the displeasure my current guardian had with being saddled with an unwanted pre-teen.

My memory plays tricks on me, I'm assuming from the abuse and one too many hits to the head. I'm unsure how I got here and how long this has been happening. Sadly, the only scenes in my head are from the last month. I'm not even sure who this man is.

"Well, boy, I'll let you watch me open it and destroy whatever it is. Then you'll get your just reward," his voice carried promise, and I involuntarily whimpered.

I glanced up as I heard his footsteps carry him away from me. The cardboard box he had brought inside was on the small, scarred-up table. Someone had left it at the front door.

Within seconds, he destroyed the box, revealing a snow globe that looked like Santa's workshop, with glitter for snow.

"Shake and the magic of Christmas will appear," he read from an enclosed note. "Not for you, boy. The only magic you're gonna see is from my new whip I got myself for the holidays."

The glee in his words created a new terror for me. Up to this point, he had only used a belt and his bare hands. My whimpering increased, and I shook as I wondered if I would live to see Christmas.

The man shook the globe and watched the snow fall within before lifting it high and releasing it in a powerful throw-heading towards the wall above my head.

Instinctively, I raised my arms to shield my head and pulled myself tighter into a ball on the floor.

But nothing shattered.

"What the fuck!"

I looked up at his scream, and the snow globe was spinning in midair. A small light shone from it before a creature appeared.

This thing was the size of a grown man in his prime, dressed in blood-red flannel with green trim. When it looked around the room, its eyes stopped at me. A look of sorrow aimed at me suddenly morphed into fury as he turned back to my guardian.

The shocked silence was filled with a growl, which showed very sharp, pointy teeth as it went straight for the only adult in the room.

I watched wide-eyed as this creature easily slit the throat of the tormentor with a knife that appeared out of nowhere. As the body hit the floor with a resounding bang, I felt no remorse, just a sudden terror that I was next.

"Nick," the thing finally spoke as it came towards me. "How bad are you hurt?"

It took me a moment to get past the pointed ears. I could now plainly see and register that its clothing matched mine.

"Nick, talk to me," it said sadly as it knelt at my level.

The elf-like creature put a finger to the center of my forehead, causing a spark and dizziness to overcome me for a few seconds. I closed my eyes as all my memories returned, flooding my mind and fighting for room, causing me to flinch badly. After a few deep breaths, my eyes reopened, and I looked longingly into the deep brown eyes of my father's head of security.

"Thank you," I whispered as my eyes filled with tears.

"Let's get you home," he said, picking me up and cradling me to his chest. "Your dad has been going crazy looking for you."

I remembered it all now.

How could I be so stupid?

Telling no one, I used a portal globe to come to this world with nothing and no way to get back.

I just wanted to know what the human world was like.

Sadly, now I do.

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(Google Doc word count: 744. Edited by SeraDrake)

*2nd Place in Ravendipity's Weekly Writing Contest

*2nd Place in Azure Holiday Writing Contest

*2nd Place for Best Flash Fiction in The Snow Moon Mini Awards