Part V: December 25th, 13:13

After quite an exciting night of partying, Johnathan finally wakes up. You see, every year his company hosts a christmas party as thanks for all the hard work all the employees do. Without them, Johnathan wouldn't have been able to publish a lot of his stories on time, so he is very thankful to have them. However this year, in order to cut back on resources, he made the party invite only. This way the rest of the employees weren't obligated to come and could spend the day with their families.

It is late in the afternoon, at least later to him than to most people. Johnathan lies in bed, staring at the ceiling, his blurred vision starting to straighten. He sits up and looks around. His room is a mess with clothes tossed around and several bottles stacked neatly into a partially completed pyramid. His alarm clock now reads 13:13. Johnathan doesn't normally drink a lot, but this particular year, from what he can recall, several of his employees brought kegs and wine to celebrate. He vaguely recalls the caterer bringing a lavish cake in the shape of a snowman, and then promptly teleporting to the bathroom to puke.

Johnathan walks to the bathroom and splashes cold water on his face. He almost doesn't recognize the man he sees before him. "...What happened last night?"

He hears a faint beeping, and out of the corner of his eye he sees his phone ringing. The screen is cracked, and he can barely see who's calling but still manages to answer. "Uh… hello?"

"GEEZ MAN, I'VE BEEN CALLIN YOU ALL MORNING! YOU STILL ALIVE OVER THERE!?" 

It was Marcus. He was known as a prankster at the office, and despite their conflicting personalities, Johnathan considers him his best, and only friend.

"Ugh, Barely. What happened last night? I'm bald now."

"Yea you got a little too wild, even for me, but hey don't sweat it! I think I left some stuff over there, so I'm coming over in about an hour. "

"Alright, sounds good."

"Oh, also Ka-" The phone died. 

"Damn." Johnathan is definitely going to need a replacement, but since it's christmas most stores aren't going to be open. "This is a tomorrow problem" he thinks to himself. 

After putting his phone to charge, and having a nice long shower, Johnathan makes his way down stairs. He turns on the television, putting the volume up to one hundred, and walks into the kitchen. He contemplates having something small, like cereal, but elects to actually cook for once. Rummaging through the fridge, he gathers all the ingredients necessary for an omelet, his favorite. Knowing how wild it must have gotten last night, he finds comfort in having some of his favorite food for breakfast. Or was it lunch? Ah, it doesn't matter too much.

'...and be sure to bundle up this weekend and stock up on plenty of hot cocoa because we have a blizzard coming through on sunday. So expect to see some snowfall starting tonight around six.'

"A blizzard huh?" Winter this year is coming a bit later than usual. Maybe it's a product of global warming? Who knows. But at least it'll be a white Christmas this year.

'BANG BANG BANG'

Someone was knocking on his door. "That's probably Marcus" he thinks to himself. Johnathan doesn't have many visitors, but based on that heavy handed knock it has to be him. He's the only person who doesn't ring a doorbell. Ever.

Johnathan sadly puts down his fork, having only barely started eating. "I'll come back for you" he says to himself.

Opening the door, there before him stands the giant of a man holding a box under one arm and a large shit eating grin. "Wow, you look like shit!" 

"Gee, thanks." 

He lets himself inside, patting Johnathan on the shoulder as he goes by. "Oooh, something smells good in here." Marcus was like a dog with an exceptionally good nose and almost floated toward the kitchen after taking off his shoes.

"I was just having breakfast."

Marcus helped himself to the kitchen, making some scrambled eggs and bacon with toast, while Johnathan savored his omelet. The pair of them eat while Marcus recounts the events from last night. 

"Oh that reminds me, Merry Christmas!" Marcus slides the large cardboard box across the table. 

"Didn't have time to wrap it, I hope that's alright."

"Yea, it's fine. Don't worry about it."

Opening up the gift, Johnathan pulls out a brand new gaming console, and a pair of tickets for the new Lizard God movie.

"I know you've been working hard man, but it's about time you took a little break. I already made you a profile so you and I can finally play something together."

Marcus has been asking to hang out and play a game together, but Johnathan of course has always had an excuse to not hang out with anyone. He has been focused on his work for so long that he doesn't make room for anything else. But maybe now that will change.

"Thank you"

"Ah, no problem. And don't worry about getting me anything, I kind of owe you from last night. Anyway, I gotta go. Besides your gift, I really came here for Katherines purse, she thinks she left it here and asked me to find it."

Ah, Katherine. She has been Johnathans secretary for years, handling most of his affairs at the office while he comfortably worked from home. He's never really had the courage to tell her his true feelings. He had tried on one occasion, however, but opted against it out of embarrassment. 

"Yea, I think I saw it upstairs. I'll get it."

Johnathan frantically rummages through his room, tossing clothes and sheets everywhere until he spots it, lying against the far corner of his room. It's a light blue purse with small flowers and smelled faintly of perfume, a brand he remembered buying her as a birthday gift several years prior. 

Walking back downstairs, tightly clutching the purse, he reluctantly gives it to Marcus.

"Alright man, you take care of yourself. I already set the system up for you so I'll call you later. I'm gonna swing by her place and drop this off."

"...Wait!" Before Marcus could leave, Johnathan yells out to him. "I'll take it to her, just give me her address. I need to pick some stuff up anyway."

Almost instinctively Johnathan had spoken. Something about her perfume finally awakened something inside of him that lay dormant for far too long. He allowed himself to give in and be true to himself for the first time in years. Maybe it had something to do with the party last night, but Johnathan feels a renewed sense of confidence within him.

"Ha! I didn't think you had it in you. Tell you what, go get your stuff and meet me outside, I'll drive you."

"I won't be long"

Johnathan quickly puts on his coat and shoes, making sure to not forget the essentials: Phone, wallet, and keys. He closes the door behind him, making sure to lock it, and cheerfully skips down his steps. Inside the now empty house, all is now quiet. After some time, the television turns itself off. Leaning against the railing overlooking the living room below, a shadowy figure slicks back his hair as his body begins to vanish in a swirling mass of black smoke.