Krampus

Twas the night before Christmas and deep in our bunker.
My mom, dad, sister, and I did hunker.
The street lights were dark, no carolers sang, not even the blessings of old church bells rang. And beneath our beds, we all huddled tight and hoped he would pass by our house tonight.
Everyone knows of jolly St. Nick and the gifts that he brings on his single-night trip.
And the presents and bobbles and candy and toys that he brings every Christmas to good girls and boys.
But it wasn't the man with the red suit and white beard who's annual Christmas visit we feared.
Outside in the snow we heard a loud howl, the crunching of ice and an animal growl.
I heard it sniff by our window pane then a deep throaty laugh and saw red eyes like flame.
My sister and I both stared horrified and prayed that the creature could not get inside.
But a moment later a thundering pound turned our door to splinters all over the ground.
I screamed as the creature into our home came this horrible beast Vom Krampus by name.
He was massively tall at least seven feet from the points of his horns to his hoof's shodden feet.
Across his back what I mistook for a coat was the shaggy long hair of a filthy dead goat.
And I cried and I swallowed my terrified pangs at the sight of his wickedly razor-sharp fangs.
His claw-fingered hands looked ready for pain in one was a bullwhip the other a chain.
He growled and he sneered and laughed for a while then he pointed at us and said
“Naughty.” with a smile.
My sister and I both shook with fear
What terrible things had we done this year?
We tried to be good and thought we succeeded, we minded our manners and no punishment was needed. We both got good grades. We neither lied or cheated or stole, we had nothing to hide. But Krampus still came with his evil heart black to steal us away and stuff us in his sack.
To take us away to his punishment cave were all the bad children forever his slaves.
We turned to our parents behind them to hide but they both shook their heads and sadly stepped aside.
“You must face the music” my father lamented
Vom Krampus then laughed his expression demented.
My sister and I hugged each other tight and prayed that someone could save us that night.
And just when we gave up and all hope was gone there came a loud clatter from out on the lawn.
With a tinkle of bells our spirits did lift, Vom Krampus snarled the air he did sniff.
On the wind came the scent of holly and pine, gingerbread cookies, and holiday wine.
In the doorway, he stood in his bright suit of red. St. Nicholas came and we cried out and said.
Save us St. Nicholas there's been a mistake, we've been good all year we can't let them take.
Hold on not so fast he raised his great hand, there is something happening you don't understand.
Vom Krampus did come that much is true but the demon of Christmas did not come for you.
At the demon, we stared both of us confused. He had to be here for somebody but who?
Then I started to think and all became clear, who'd been the naughtiest of all that year?
The more that I thought the more I understood. We children were fine, but the parents, no good.
“But Krampus takes children!” my father protested, and Santa's face twisted toward the man he detested.
Christmas time is for children and gifts to be given, you took their innocence and that can't be forgiven.
You scared them into silence, their souls you did twist and to top it off told them I didn't exist.
For your life-long naughtiness, the piper must be paid and set Krampus upon them with a dismissive wave.
The adults screamed as they went into his sack and we cried until Santa patted my back.
“What's wrong?” asked St. Nicholas I thought you'd be happy, to be rid of those people who treated you crappy.
We are I sniffed sincere as could be, but what is to become of my sister and me?
St. Nicholas smiled and laughed loud and deep. As did Krampus, a sound that still haunts my sleep.
Why you'll come with me he said with great joy. I have great use for a good girl and boy.
You'll come to my workshop and work with my elves, I promise that you will enjoy yourselves. I'll teach you my secrets, my toy-making ways and then you'll take over when I've ended my days.
“But”, said my sister, “what about him? Won't Krampus be lonely?” she scratched his chin.
“I wish to thank him and I know the way. I will go with him and be his protege.”
And so from Kris Kringle, I learned to make toys, and my sister to torture naughty girls and boys.
And every evening from that point thereafter my dreams were full of parents' screams and my sister's laughter.
And so this ends our happy Christmas story, if you're nice and not naughty you've no need to worry.
But if your heart's full of coal and you're an evil mister, try to hide but you'll soon meet Krampus and my sister.

Story by Scott A. Johnson