And then the light returned. More color sparkled in front of me. It was a pyrotechnic show. Electric blue lines zipped above my head. Ruby bright pinwheels. Gold light dotted the sky. Glimmers of silver exploded like rockets.
Gasping, I covered my mouth, scared to scream.
God is here. God is with me. There is nothing to fear out here.
And then the whole space warmed. It didn’t make sense. Snow covered the ground and the moon hung in the air, but heat whipped against my skin. Suddenly it was summer and I just needed to get out of my clothes.
“Hello? Hello?” I hated myself for yelling that word out.
How many times had I watched a heroine in a scary move scream out hello, as she crept through a dark alley? The heroine always died no matter how many times she unknowingly tip-toed closer to the monster and whispered, “Who’s there?” Some beast or mad man always jumped out and slashed her face or choked the life out of her.
What the fuck? Run. But. . .why can’t I run?
The heat became unbearable. Although standing on snowy land, I stood in the inside of an oven while some huge, imaginary giant had twisted the knob and raised the temperature. I tried to move again, but my feet remained planted there.
Women giggled to my right. I turned that way and saw nothing. Not even the mermaids. I checked the mail box. Santa had moved.
“No. Where the hell is Santa?” My bottom lip shivered.
I have to find Santa. If I can find Santa, then I’ll feel better, I think. What am I saying? Santa didn’t move. He was. . .over. . .there. Right?
I turned to my left. Santa leaned next to the car.
Okay. I know damn well I didn’t sculpt him next to my car and then stick him against it. What the hell is going on?
Sweat trickled down my face. I pulled off my hat and unzipped my jacket.
“La-di-da-di-da-di-da.”
The notes danced within the breeze. And it was an odd breeze. Earlier it had been freezing outside. Now, I was hot as hell. If I closed my eyes, I would’ve thought I was on the beach. Instead of the winter moon’s soothing glow. It felt more like the sun baring down on me. I yanked off my jacket and dropped it to the ground.
“La-di-da-di-da-di-da.”
The forest came alive. Deer peeked their noses out. Their eyes glowed while they watched me. The ice melted under my feet. The wind picked up. The trees slowly swayed from side to side, their branches dropping clumps of snow with the movements.
Then, the impossible happened and there was no need to call the cops or run away.
I’m losing my mind.
Giggling, ice mermaids swam in front of me. They dove into the snow, disappeared, and rose on the other side. Snow rippled on the ground like water. Blue glass shimmered on their tails. They laughed at each other and splashed ice at me.
No more wine.
Stomping came from the side.
I backed up.
Santa raced my way. His belly jiggled. His beard was a waterfall slushing, constantly dripping, reforming, and slipping away to the ground and reappearing at his face. Meadow had put pennies for his eyes. Those coins burned fiery red as he passed by me.
“Come here, little ones,” Santa roared. His voice sliced through the air. “Come. I want to see what’s under those tails.” A loud chuckle left him.
Well, at least he’s jolly.
Giggling, they swam faster and he raced after them far off toward a hill and then over it. My legs shook. Somewhere in between seeing the mermaids and Santa, I’d dropped the wine bottle. Red liquid stained the snow in front of me and formed into an image of burgundy wings. I wished I could pick them up, put them on my back, and fly the hell out of here.
And then that deep male voice brushed against my skin. “Faith.”
I shivered at the sound. It was the same person that whispered to me earlier today.