Enchanted Scars

By A.L. Williams

I fucking hate Christmas...
Riley hates Christmas, but if he has to be head elf than he will be a damn good one. It’s the least he can do for the man who makes his heart flutter—if only the feeling was mutual.

I can’t fail them.
Nick has one job each year and it’s to give every single child the Christmas he never had. He can’t fail them. It’s the only thing that matters—at least that’s what he thought.

Don’t let what’s right in front of you slip away.
When both men are thrown in the middle of the desert, they struggle to save Christmas. Secrets and emotions surface that rock their friendship. Can they find their way home and accept they’re more than friends or are the Scars too deep?

Enchanted Scars CAN be read as a standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.L. Williams
• Release date: Nov 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005260194

A.L. Williams

My name is Alec Lee Williams, a trans #ownvoices artist. My pronouns are He/him/his. I have loved creating things ever since I can remember. My art is the visual and written expression of what is in my heart and mind. Show the world what social expectation and stigma it has created in regards to mental health. Mental illness and discrimination are a part of our history and it’s time the world sees it. The beautiful and the dirty.With my art, I want to show those who don't have mental illness what it's like. I want those that do have a mental illness, specifically queer POC, to relate and maybe even letting go of their trauma and triggers by seeing it displayed. I want them to know they are not alone. Now that I have decided to pursue writing my novels I hope will do the same.

Book preview

1

Riley

Ifucking hate Christmas.

The workshop was filled with the boisterous chatter of elves as they scrambled about. It stretched on for miles like a warehouse, but instead of large crates and construction equipment, there were colorful bicycles with tassels and battery-powered miniature cars. Winter raged, blurring the windows with relentless flurries as wind slammed against the structure, rattling the decorations that hung from the walls. Unlike the human world, it was perpetually winter in the North Pole, only sunny during the height of summertime. I sighed, strolling down the steps. A tempered climate would be pleasant. I tightened my red coat, trying to shield my skin from the frigid wind that seeped in through the cracks of the high walls—we desperately needed a remodel.

The massive clock at the far end of the workshop chimed, signaling the new hour. It stretched from one end of the wall to the other, framed by a cherry wood ring with long decorative clock hands, circling large black numbers. At first glance, it was just a clock, but there was only elf magic powering it through it. It was a constant reminder of how close Christmas was. We were on a crunch with billions of gifts that must be assembled and wrapped by Christmas Eve. Father Time helped by slowing the passage of days, but the human population was ever growing—they needed to stop procreating.

The continuous chatter of elves sitting at metal tables—covered with motherboards, desktop screens, and power adaptors—filled my ears as I padded by. Elves looked through magnifying glasses as they pieced together wires, plastic, and glass casing. Every table had tablets, computers, and smartphones in various stages of completion. The world had changed so much. Most children no longer wanted wooden trains and swing sets.

I peered at the workstations in the far corner. Dust covered every surface with only a few elves were hammering and teetering away. There were parts of the world where children were simpler, but that wouldn’t last for long. Humans shifted and changed like the passing seasons, never lingering on one ideal or interest—they were fickle creatures.

A loud clammer caught my attention. I spun on my heels, eyeing the massive bar stocked with hot chocolate, eggnog, and an assortment of treats—that would make anyone’s mouth bleed. A metal pan lay on the floor, surrounded by crumbled brownies. Tony rubbed the back of his head when I glared at him. He was always making a mess and it was something that attracted the few creatures that could stomach the frigid weather. I shook my head.

It’s like no one heard of a burger.

Riley! I whipped around, finding Chloe dashing over. Her brunette hair swayed as she ran, the bells that hung from her neck, sending a sharp pain through my head—why did everyone have to be so loud? She skidded to a stop, panting with sweat beading on her pale skin as if she’d ran a marathon. I pinched the bridge of my nose, preparing for an ambush of words. She was as loud—if not louder—than the bells she wore. It grated on me daily.

What is it? I asked sharply. She opened her mouth to respond and was silenced by a loud bang shot throw the workshop in a burst of smoke and electricity.

When I turned, the television department was on fire, flames wavering over the metal tables. Elves ran from the smoke, covered in soot as they coughed.

I rushed towards the disaster as elves stood around, gaping like idiots. They parted as I pushed through and stopped before the wall of smoke.

Chloe came up from behind me, chewing on her thumb. What happened? I snapped, my stomach twisting tighter the longer I stared at the destruction. As head elf, I was responsible for order and function. I hated everything about Christmas, but it was my job—if we were going to deliver toys, we would deliver perfection.

My eyes watered as I coughed. When I snapped my fingers, the air cleared. I moved to a table, eyeing the burnt computer chips and cracked plasma screens. I thinned my lips.

Another explosion nearby shook the workshop. I widened my eyes and rushed, grabbing a fire extinguisher.

The fire licked the ceiling, releasing fumes. I covered my face and flooded the table with the white substance, snuffing out the raging flames.

Chloe ambled over and I handed her the extinguisher. When she took it, I dragged my hand down my face. What in the world was that? She asked, her bright green eyes wide.

Keep an eye on things. I’m going to see Nick.

She frowned. Why can’t you call him Santa?

My face heated. No.

That’s who he is. She said, cocking her head.

Just no. Nick and I had known each other for a long time. I had been sent to retrieve him when he was a boy. It was only natural that we became friends. It just didn’t feel right calling him anything else. Get back to work. She saluted and I rolled my eyes. Go!

Without another word, she spun on her heels, bouncing away. I strode to the entryway, framed by tinsel and garland. My shoes clacked on the tile as I stepped into a corridor with a hall lined with red stockings and blinking lights. I walked by several doors that led to our private rooms. After I passed the hall leading to the reindeers’ barn, I hopped up the steps, peeking in the cracked door of Nick’s chambers.

As I slipped in, the scent of wood burning hit my nose and I peered at the fireplace to the left that radiated heat. The flames danced together in a swirl of reds, oranges, and yellows, confined in the same space that shot up into a chimney. Next to the fireplace was a decorated tree, glittering from the light of the fire. At its foot, an assortment of gift-wrapped boxes and toys sat on a red tree skirt. I’d wondered over the years about it. What was the point? It wasn’t like the children could see the room. Nonetheless, every Santa kept it and Nick was no different.

Hey, Riley, Nick said. I jumped and turned.

Nick lounged on his massive four-poster bed, covered with red and white bedding. He grinned and stood wrapped in a red robe with SC printed on the breast pocket, his red slippers sliding across the floor. My cheeks warmed as I avoided eye contact. The man could seduce a gremlin with those cerulean eyes. It didn’t help that he was all sharp angles and muscles. His dark hair, drizzling to his shoulders, had faded to white—like every Santa before him. His facial hair was little more than stubble. His eyes did twinkle, but he was nothing like the jolly old man of human imagination—not yet.

Riley! Are you listening? Nick asked, waving his hand in my face. I jumped again, pulled from my thoughts. He studied me, cocking his head. If you keep frowning like that, you’re going to get wrinkles.

I blinked. We’re immortal.

That’s beside the point. He chuckled, swatting the air. Anyway, what’s the problem? It sounded like there was an explosion or something.

There was, I replied.

Nick’s jovial expression turned to concern. Is everyone all right? Was anyone hurt?

Everyone is fine. The products were the only casualties, I looked aside, his worried expression forcing my chest to tighten.

Do you have any idea what caused it?

I met his gaze again, frowning deeper. "No. I checked their work and everything was in the right place. All of the equipment was inspected this morning