44 We Found Help

"This is hell," said Andres in the fetal position. Sadly, his voice was too low for anybody to hear.

Leira watched Logan pace around the train, "How can he keep walking like that"?

Jaivva answered, "That boy isn't right in the head. Don't even worry about him".

The girls tried to take her advice, but Logan sat next to them. He looked sicked like a downtown rat. The bags under his eyes favored a raccoon.

His lips trembled, "Why haven't you two quit"?

Jaivva's mustered the strength to smack Logan's head, "Why would you ask them that? That was rude"!

He stretched his neck and repeated the question. Rubbing her forehead, Jaivva apologized.

Mina's eyes widened, "Are we suppose to quit"?

"You're doing fine," he said as his nose flared, "I'm just... curious as to why you two are so eager to keep playing".

Mina looked as though she was going to cry when Leira answered, "We were told in the game notes that if we succeed that we will get some player points. But like, that's our reward. We don't want to share that".

Logan's mouth fought its way to curl into a smile, "That... Sounds... Great. Keep your reward. When I was your age, I did the same".

"Okay," said Leira, disgusted by his demeanor.

"You see," he continued, "When it comes to this game, you need to understand that it's like a puzzle. Nothing is ever really as it appears".

He began using his fingers to act out his words, "You see, when we came, there was a tree in a house. And it's as we approach that tree that w-we were brought here. Now we must escort you guys to the top. Fine. You get a reward. Fine. But what I'm looking at is that we faced an ogre in a church. A common Christmas decoration. Then later we fought white doves. Another Christmas ornament".

Jaivva spoke up, "So essentially we're in a tree and is attempting to get you two to the top to speak to a Christmas angel. I can expect some mints, Frankincense, and Saint Nick".

Andres budded in, "The seven deadly sins. That's who we're facing".

"How"? asked Leira.

"You stole from a church. That was greed," he answered, "I recall smelling something good for a moment while y'all were talking. I guess nobody noticed it. But it was smelling pretty good. I guess that was us succumbing to our desires which is lust".

Jaivva struggled against her headache, "So basically we are in a tree to fight Santa Clause and every other Christmas ornament to bring these two up to the top and give them Christmas".

Mina gave a light cheer in spite of her pain.

Jaivva stared at her, "I'm sorry Mina. But you're too cute. I need to protect from Logan because you are just too adorable".

Mina glanced over at the sickly Logan and back before asking, "Where's Dani"?

Logan answered, "Dani's going through a lot right now. So she's taking a quick break".

Jaivva persisted to know what was wrong with her. But Logan refused to respond.

Leira stared out watching a sleigh of reindeer coming their way. She grabbed Mina's attention who was more concerned about whether they would have to fight Saint Nick.

"It's Jeff," Said Logan, looking out the window, "Don't say anything to him about Dani".

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Everybody, except Dani, was waiting outside

Jeff parked his Victorian Baked reindeer, yelling, "Ho ho ho".

Andres was bent over coughing, "You brought me anything"?

Jeff playfully threw his hand dismissing Andres who had begun joking him back.

"What's the news?" demanded Jaivva, "I really don't have the patience for the playing right now".

Logan noticed Hakim's frowned face and listened as Jeff smiled, "It's okay. We got good news ya know. We found a very nice lady who helped heal us back up. She has the antidote to heal yall. She just needs us to bring yall in so she can heal you".

"That sounds nice," coughed Mina.

"Yet she wasn't nice enough to give you the medicine?" asked Andres.

Jeff's smile flipped, "What do you want bro"?

"I just had a question, Jeff," said Andres while wringing his hands, "That's literally it. You want to bring us to this lady for the antidote? Then fine. Let's go".

Tension rose among everybody as Jeff rounded them into his sleigh. Vanessa welcomed them in by throwing up two fingers and crossing her legs to show off her cute Christmas outfit.

"Little sister," said Jaivva.

Dani dragged herself from whence she slept and crawled into the sleigh. She had no clue what was happening. Oh well.

Leaving the remaining gingerbread men who were under Dani's care at the train, Jeff lashed the gingerbread reindeer and ordered them to take them back to the old doctor's clinic.