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Christopher stands at the center of the park, where a brightly illuminated Christmas tree filled with empty boxes that look like presents and Christmas lights flickering different colors from red, blue, and green is erected. It's not everyday that you see something as wonderful as this, but Christopher honestly doesn't care because he's not there for Santa or the empty boxes underneath the tree nor the actual tree itself. He was waiting for someone.

Wearing a brown snow jacket and blue jeans, headphones that he is also using as an earmuff, a winter hat to cover his already cold ears, and a black and white striped scarf, this Snow Wolf waits patiently for that someone to come meet him. Of course, he knew that that person would be late. Again. For the nth time. But he's doesn't really mind. He's already used to waiting for that person by now.

As the time slowly runs by, Christopher checks his watch from time to time, with each time being every next song that comes up. He knew that person would be late, but he didn't think it would be this late. He sighs deeply, thinking that he shouldn't have went to their meeting spot thirty minutes earlier. He just doesn't like making people wait, unlike that person.

Christopher looks around the place, looking for that person, but all he can see are just a bunch of people flocking together during this Christmas Eve. Everyone is just talking about things like what should he buy or what should she wear. It's those typical things you usually hear in typical situations such as this. This makes him uncomfortable though, seeing as he doesn't like to eavesdrop, but there's really nothing else to do.

He usually sets the sound of the headphone low so that he can probably hear that person call his name, but he decides to crank up the volume a bit and closes his eyes. His foot is tapping to the beat, his head bobbing slightly to the rhythm, his body coinciding with the melody of the song. It wasn't long until someone suddenly taps him on the shoulder. Lowering the headphone volume, he turns around... and it was just him.

"Hey, what're you doing here alone?" Christopher's old friend, an orange Scottish Fold named Bryan, asks curiously, carrying with him a bag full of toys and stuff that doesn't really interest Christopher. Bryan is Christopher's friend since his elementary years, but Christopher doesn't really deem Bryan as a close friend, but just someone that he knows and hangs out from time to time.

"I'm waiting for someone," the Scottish Fold raises an eyebrow at Christopher's response, "What about you?"

"Oh, you know me, buying some prezies for my siblings. They just won't shut up and insist on getting these goddamn expensive toys," he says, raising the bag slightly.

"What happened to Santa?"

"Meh, Mom and Dad already told them that Santa Claus doesn't exist, and since I'm the eldest and currently doing a part time job, I have to buy them presents, says the youngest one," he mutters the last few words with an irritated tone, "But of course Mom and Dad bought their presents for them as well. But eh, I have money to spare anyways," he shrugs.

"I remember you asking for money earlier this month at school," Christopher asks with suspicion and raises an eyebrow.

"Eh... I didn't get my pay then," Bryan replies, rubbing the back of his neck in guilt. Of course Christopher knows he is lying, just that he doesn't care. Christopher had money to spare back then, and for real. "Anyways, I gotta go. See ya laters," he waves goodbye and walks off. Christopher waves back and goes back to his silent wait.

A few songs have passed, and still no sign of that person ever coming. Christopher texted many times, but he never seem to get any reply. He sighs, thinking how insensitive that person is. He doesn't mind waiting, yes, but that doesn't mean he likes his time wasted. He could do something else, but he doesn't like those times when you do something else and coincidentally what you were waiting for happens at that same time. He's gone through many of those already and he's not happy about it. Not one bit.

After a while, Christopher feels a chill up his spine. He doesn't know why he felt that even with all the clothing he's wearing. He also doesn't know why he's feeling like something bad just happened. It is probably just him feeling a bit tired from standing for a long time. He decides to take a seat at a nearby bench. That person said that Christopher shouldn't sit down until that person arrives, but Christopher told himself that it's just a little rest.

But that little rest turned into a long wait as three songs, equivalent to around twelve minutes, has elapsed. He couldn't shake this unsteady feeling inside his heart, like there's something that he has to do. He doesn't know what it is, just that he has to do it. He feels so confused that he doesn't know what going on. Why is he feeling that way?

It isn't until he saw that person in front of him that all of these feeling faded away. That person stood there with a smile so gentle, so radiant, so heart warming. With shaky legs, Christopher stands up and breathes in deeply, trying to come up on what he's going to say.

"I'm sorry I sat down. I know we were supposed to--" before the Snow Wolf could finish, the other Snow Wolf interrupts.

"No, please, no need to apologize," the other Snow Wolf says. Though it may seem like an ordinary response, it shocks Christopher. He knows that person doesn't talk like that. This person... isn't the person he was waiting for. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, uh, nothing. Nothing's wrong. It's just that--"

"I'm too formal, aren't I? Well, that's what I get for being too formal," the other Snow Wolf says with a smile on her face, but this time she's also crying. "Yep, that's what I get..."

"Wait, why are you crying," Christopher flusters. This is the first time for her to suddenly start crying like that.

"I'm sorry... but this'll be the last time I'll be meeting you... I'm sorry for lying to you," she says, forcing a smile and distancing herself one step farther.

"What? Lies? What are you talking about?" Christopher asks, but the other Snow Wolf just turns around and picks up a present box.

"Christopher," she says, walking towards the confused Snow Wolf, "I hope that you'll like my Christmas Gift," she says before giving the present box to the Snow Wolf, who unconsciously accepts it. "Thank you, and goodbye," she says before she starts to fade. Christopher's eyes widen at the mere sight that the person he loves is disappearing right before his very eyes, and there's nothing that he can do but just stand there.

"Wait!" Christopher yells, but it was too late as her body has long since vanished into the air. Christopher doesn't know why and how, but all he can do now is just look at the present box that she gave to him. He reads the card that's attached to the present

To: Christopher

Merry Christmas!

It's been so long since I last met you. Has it been 364 days?

364 days since you last saw my apparition.

You'd always visit me here ever since you were a kid.

And you'd always try to cheer me up with my issues with dad.

I honestly didn't think that you'd come today, but you did.

But you shouldn't have come here because he'll come for you.

And now I have to say goodbye.

For your sake.

Hope you'll like the present.

And stay safe.

From: Mirage

Christopher looks at the card, confused, and sits down to open the present. Patiently unwrapping the ribbon and taking off the wrappings, he opens the box and sees a framed picture of himself when he was younger standing next to a Snow Wolf with below-the-shoulder, silver hair and the same gentle, radiant, heart warming smile. He can't help but shed a tear at just the mere thought of their first meeting. He looks behind the frame and sees a note.

"Remember when we first met here? I was trying to build a snowman near this tree, but I never got to make one. I'd always mess up and have to do things all over again. Then you came and helped me out. That was the first and last time I saw you. I hope you like the gift."

First and last... that doesn't seem right. Christopher has been meeting Mirage for the past few years, and each year Mirage would still be late in coming from her house. The first time they met, Christopher had to wait thirty minutes for her to come back with his father to take a picture with him. Her excuse for the years after that would be that she got into a fight with her father. Every year. She kept using the same excuse for the seven years that we meet here on this Christmas Eve.

Christopher peeks inside the box to check if there's anything else, and there is. The thing is wrapped in a... bloody cloth. He slowly takes the item and slowly removes the cloth to reveal a rusted bloody knife. His hands won't stop shaking as he looks at the knife in horror. He immediately wraps the cloth back and put the knife back in the box. He doesn't know why, but... this was Mirage's Christmas Gift.