A Christmas Horror Story Read Online Free PDF

snow had indeed formed a wall of white as far as eye could see, broken only by partially buried trees and grey hills. There was no way around, over or through the huge drift. It was going to be the whitest Christmas since the dawn of time.
    ‘Well I haven’t got any other ideas,’ Katie argued as worry plagued her. . However, while Emily and Jake were relying on her, she had little choice but to cast it to the back of her mind.
    ‘We could cross the fields. It doesn’t seem so bad,’ Jake said, launching another snowball into the air.
    The trek across the fields was easier with the absence of tough banks of grass, dry stone walls for the snow to build a dam against, or trees and bushes for their feet to get tangled and buried in. As the three walked further from home, the cold began to burrow deep through the layers of their clothing and snow found its way into boots. Katie began to realise this was a stupid idea. Her brother, although happy to be out at first, was now flagging. The snow was up to his knees in places. Emily too was becoming more and more fretful. Her tough mask was slipping and she was becoming increasingly worried and short-tempered.
    With each crunching step Emily muttered to herself. ‘It sounds like crunching bones,’ she said.
    ‘What did you say?’ Katie asked.
    Emily demonstrated and took steps in the snow. ‘The noise, it sounds like crunching bones.’
    Katie was not sure how to reply.
    Fortunately, Jake diverted the conversation for her. ‘I’m hungry; when can we eat?’ Jake whined in the plaintive tone of all children when tired and wanting something.
    ‘Won’t be long now; just a bit further’,’ Katie reassured him, holding his gloved hands and pulling to help him through the snow.
    ‘This is taking longer than you think. I think we’re lost’,’ Emily snapped.
    She was right. Katie was unsure of the area now despite having lived here all her life. There had never been weather like this. The landscape had never looked so vague and featureless. Katie didn’t wish to admit she was unsure, not for selfish reasons, but instead as protection and reassurance to her siblings. With the air becoming colder, Katie was about to suggest they turn back when Jake spotted something that made him call out.
    Moorside forest stood on the crest of a hill. Tall black trees, shed of all leaves, stood like charcoal drawings against a blank canvas in an eerily quiet scene. It was what lay around the forest that drew the attention of the three. Spread out in a huge arc was flock upon flock of dead birds, lying on top of the snow. Katie, Emily and Jake walked amongst the corpses, unable to take their eyes off the sight. Jake held Katie’s hand and Emily took hold of her other. The birds were a variety of species. Blackbirds, sparrows, robins, finches, ravens, each with its wings spread and stiff to their full span with feathers flapping in the breeze.
    ‘Did they freeze to death?’ Jake whispered.
    ‘I really don’t know. There are thousands of them’,’ Emily said.
    ‘Be careful where you stand’,’ Katie advised as they tiptoed amongst the dead birds.
    ‘I want to go home,’ Jake pleaded, and pulled on Katie’s arm. ‘I want to go home.’
    ‘I agree’.’ Emily nodded. ‘We shouldn’t be here. Mum is probably waiting for us.’
    If Katie heard her brother and sister she did not acknowledge them. She stood frozen, staring at the birds, their thousand dead black eyes staring back.
    ‘They’re all facing the same way, look, as if flying from the forest,’ Katie murmured.
    ‘Katie, wake up. Jake is terrified. We have to leave,’ shouted Emily.
    It snapped Katie from her trance. She looked at Emily, slightly confused, and then at Jake. His face was a mask of wide-eyed, over-imaginative fear.
    ‘Something scared them to death’,’ Katie said frankly and seriously.
    The three looked at the forest. It was dark and still with silence seeping from the treeline.
    ‘We need to go