Chapter 1

The Stolen Presents

Mr. Grinch–Cole Brantley

9:13 AM

Sunday, December 18, Brookstone Wells

“Come on, Mindy. You promised to help me out,” I plead. We were ready to move, and Mindy was backing out.

“I said I’d help you get the presents and the candy, that’s it!” she retorted.

“You forget who you’re working for. Once you’re in, you’re in entirely. I, Mr. Grinch, refuse to work with wimps. Now, do you want what’s in it for you or not?” I challenge, glaring at her, my voice deadly calm.

“Fine, alright,” she says, giving in–as always.

“Good. Now let’s go.”

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C.J. Caddel

9:15 AM

Sunday, December 18, Brookstone Wells

“YEOWWW,” I shriek and leap out of my bed, and there stands my 6-year-old, little brother with a bucket of ice, cold water, and a stupid grin on his face, “Henryyyyy, I’ll get you for that!!!” 

He smirks and dashes away, the chase begins, and is abruptly stopped by my mom–always at the wrong time to ruin the fun–

 “C.J. how many times have I told you not to run in the house, and you’re dripping water all over the place, go in the shower and get cleaned up.” 

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“He screamed like a little girl.” 

“Hey! I heard that,” I snap, bursting out of the shower as my little siblings duck behind the nearest thing they can find–Yup! I’m so intimidating.

”Okay, Carter, you win,” Henry says, throwing his hands in the air and backing away.

“But you needed to wake up, you said you’d to take me to the Christmas parade,”

“But you almost gave me hypothermia!” I counter.

“Hippo-what?”

“Nevermind, go get ready,”

“Yessss,” he does the giddy all the way to his room, I roll my eyes,

“You coming?” I ask Emery,

“Sure, I love to see fake Santas and Grinches,” she says sarcastically, “But yeah, I’ll come, maybe something exciting will happen.” 

That’s my sister for you, always waiting for adventure.

“Mom, we’re going to the Christmas parade, we’ll be back soon,” I call.

“Okay, don’t lose sight of Henry, I’ll be at the bakery later.”

“Kay.”

“I’m ready, let’s go. Race you,” Henry shouts, we all dart for the front door.

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Mindy 

9:27 AM

Sunday, December 18, Brookstone Wells

“Are you sure nobody is here?” I ask, worried,

“I told you, everyone is at some stupid Christmas parade, that’s why today is perfect, ok? So chill out and help me pick up this present,” Mr. Grinch snaps, “We gotta move fast before they come back.”

We load lots of loot into the pickup truck and take off.

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Emery Caddel

10: 48 AM

Sunday, December 18, Brookstone Wells

We rolled up on our four-wheelers, chuckling all the way up to our blue and white farmhouse. 

“Did you see? Batman gave me a lollipop, can you believe it??” Henry exclaimed, for the 94567888th time, waving the candy in our faces,

“We saw alright,” C.J. replied–again.

“Hmm, nothing interesting happened, but I guess it was fine,” I sighed, I’m always on the lookout for mystery, adventure, anything.

We reach the light blue door, push open the door, and stand gaping in the doorway.

“What–happened–in–here?” I asked, feeling a surge of adrenaline go through me.

Our house was nearly stripped bare, the Christmas tree in our living room stood lonely like a plain evergreen, and all the lights, decorations, and presents had vanished.

As we stood in shock at the sight before us, the reality of the situation began to sink in. 

Our holiday cheer had vanished along with our belongings. 

The mystery and adventure I had been searching for seemed to have found us instead. 

“I guess you got your wish Em,” Carter said slowly, his voice trailing off into a mysterious whisper.

Realizing the depth of what I’d just wished for, I said, “Let’s just hope it’s nothing too dangerous,”

 But how wrong I was.