“’Tis the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…” except for the frantic scraping at the front door.
The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows over our last can of beans and a single, precious candy cane. Outside, the once-familiar carols were replaced by guttural moans. The power grid had failed at sundown, taking the festive lights and our hope with it.
“Supplies are for one,” Uncle Carl stated, his voice gravelly. He placed his antique revolver on the mantel beside the stockings. “Russian roulette. Winner takes all. It’s the only fair way.”
The firelight gleamed on the cylinder as he spun it with a grim finality. *Click. Click.* The empty chambers sounded like a death knell. My turn. The metal was ice-cold against my temple. I thought of sleigh bells, not this.
I squeezed my eyes shut and pulled.
***Click.***
Carl’s face fell. He took the gun, his hand trembling for the first time. “Merry Christmas, kid,” he whispered, and put the barrel to his own head.
The shot was deafening in the small room.
Silence, then a renewed, hungry pounding at the door. I took the can and the candy cane, my hands shaking. I looked at the revolver, then at the fire. Outside, a new kind of silent night had fallen. I was alone, and I had won. The weight of the can in my hand felt like the heaviest gift I had ever received. Nice gamble for the rest of the much needed supply stock during the zombie apocalypse which started on the eve of Christmas! Happy zombiday!? 🧟♀️ I meant holiday! 🫣🎄🎁✨️
Jenkinsfoxx