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Family of Misfits

Bryce used the reward for helping to capture Krampus to pay for Veronica’s engagement ring, her wedding dress and set the rest aside for their wedding.

Marv’s Gantt Chart told them they’d want to get married in August in order to accomplish their wedding plans in ample time but they shook their heads and pressed ‘Delete’. August wasn’t their special time. They both knew it was January Second or not at all.

Bryce was right back to work the Monday after New Years’. He was scouting all of his favorite second-hand shops for items to resell when his phone began vibrating in his pocket. “Hello?”

“Bryce, something weird has happened to Krampus. Can you come down to my office? I already spoke with Veronica. Meirhe is bringing her as soon as her audition is over.” Detective Masi said.

“Sure, I’m just down the street. I’ll be there in a few.” Bryce tucked the phone back in his pocket and hurried from the store. Traversing a few blocks in the January chill, Bryce got to the Downtown South precinct building.

The Desk Sergeant asked, “Help you, sir?”

“I’m here to see Detective Masi.”

“Down the hall. Door on the left.”

“Thanks.” Bryce walked to the Detective Unit’s office and waited at the PAA’s desk to be admitted. “Hi, Jack. Detective Masi is expecting me.”

“Hi, Bryce. Come on through and have a seat.” The detective jumped up from her desk. “Can I get you some coffee?”

“No, thanks. Wouldn’t mind a spoiler.”

“It would be best to wait for Veronica to arrive.”

Bryce turned around at the sound of Meirhe’s arrival. “Talk about excellent timing.”

“How did your audition go?” Detective Masi asked with a smile.

“I’ve got a good feeling about this one. I guess we’ll see.”

“She’s surpisin’ly nimble fer a giant.” Meirhe said.

Veronica rolled her eyes at Meirhe. “So, what happened to Krampus?”

“Gather around and watch this video.” She started the video and stepped away from her computer so they could watch.

Krampus was sitting on an enormous mattress on the floor of his cell. The clock in the corner of the video turned to midnight and he began to glow.

“Oh, my goodness!” Veronica gasped. “Did he blow up?”

“Wait for it.” The detective said.

The glow surrounding Krampus became a blinding ball of pulsing golden light. As the light faded, Krampus was no longer there. In his place was an emaciated teenage boy.

“What the heck?” Bryce asked aloud. “Meirhe, have you seen anything like this before?”

“Tis new te me.”

“Has he said anything?” Veronica asked.

“No, you broke his jaw.” Detective Masi said.

“C’mon! It was self defense.” Bryce complained. “He was a giant monster.”

“Nobody’s blaming you, Bryce.” Veronica said.

“I feel so horrible about it now.”

“Even as a kid, he’s got a lot to answer for.” The detective said. “Rosen and DiNardo have been with him all morning.”

“Well, I guess that explains where an eight-foot monster hides all year.” Bryce said.

“Hiding in plain sight.” Masi shook her head. “I wonder if it’s always the same kid.”

“What d’ye mean?” Meirhe asked.

“What if Krampus is a Chaosian who grabs a new person every year to avoid detection?”

“Methinks a Chaosian would no be able te maintain a plot that spans years. Mayhem is their joy, but keepin’ on with a Twelve Days o’ Christmas campaign fer years? Tis quite unlike them.”

Detective Masi’s phone rang. “Masi.” She listened. “It’s Detective Rosen. He says they’ve been questioning the boy closely for hours. As far as they can tell, he has no idea what happens after he turns into Krampus. Has it been him all this time?”

They waited pensively as she listened to the explanation. She hung up.

“Well?” Veronica asked.

“The poor kid. He was with his mom at the mall when he was five. Somebody tried to abduct him but he ran away. He was so scared that he ran out of the mall and into an alley to escape. He says that he ran through some flashing lights. The next thing he knew, he was in Centre Park and a policeman was turning him over to Child Services.”

“Okay, that explains the first year,” Bryce said. “but what happened the next time he vanished right before Christmas? How are people not connecting these dots for nine years?”

“Craig went into the system.”

“Why?” Veronica asked.

“His mother died that first Christmas. By the time he came back from being Krampus, she had been gone for weeks. She was a single mother and she had never named the birth father.”

“How horrible!” Veronica said. “This poor kid hasn’t had a Christmas since he was five years old. Now he’s going to be institutionalized for the rest of his life.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way.” Bryce said.

“Well, it didn’t have to be that way until he started killing people. I don’t know what the courts are going to make of all this, but he’s probably not going to be allowed outside of the Wisler Institute for the rest of his life.” Masi said.

“Maybe so, but it doesn’t mean he can never have Christmas again. Orthodox Christmas begins tomorrow. I think it would be great if we could go surprise him with a bunch of Christmas presents.” Bryce said. “Do you think we could get clearance to do that?”

“Wouldn’t hurt to ask.” Detective Masi picked up her phone.

Bryce and Veronica were invited to visit Craig at the Wisler Institute to share Orthodox Christmas with him. They continued visiting him throughout the year. When Advent came around, they were surprised to find that he didn’t turn into Krampus again. That being the case, Craig was paroled for the day to attend their wedding. Once they were happily married, they began the paperwork to adopt Craig.

“Why?” Craig asked them. “Why would you want a monster in your family?”

“You’ve been alone for so long.” Bryce said. “We’re a family of misfits, Craig. You’ll fit in just fine. Besides, I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. You’re already part of our family. We just want to make it official.”

In time, the adoption was finalized and Craig officially became part of their family
and they lived happily ever after!

Happy Orthodox Christmas!