Crunch. Crunch.

Sam and I trudged deeper into the snow-covered forest. Our boots sunk into chilly heaps with every step. The layers of winter clothing I wore would surely be a hindrance to the ease of our 'mission'.

"So on the night before Christmas, we suffer so?" Sam chattered, pointing his huge flashlight around.

I sighed a cold puff. "Seems we only have ourselves to blame. Let's try to hurry. The guys won't tolerate delay after all the fuss I stirred."

Sam pointed the flashlight up in front of his jaw like he was about to tell a ghost story. His golden eyes gleamed with indifference. "Twas the night before Christmas, and the camp went to hell."

I snorted before bursting into short laughter.

Sam remained unfazed. "I'm serious. If they want us to retrieve dry tinder from this snow-bathed forest, they might as well be willing to freeze to death."

I shuffled my feet in the snow until I was directly facing him. My look was more serious because I didn't like the idea of death by a firing squad made up of my fellow campmates.

"Sam, buddy, chill. The troops have been restless after we received orders to set up camp. So especially since you're not the General, I don't think it's advisable to split the troops into 2 versus everyone else."

He grunted. "Fine, let's find some stupid dry tinder. Why did I even agree to play that stupid game?!"

I shrugged and followed his lead since he was the guy with the flashlight.

All the fallen branches and twigs in our path were drenched in melting snow. Our only option was to go deeper where the forest was thicker. I swung my arms to make sure they were energized to lift the dry-ish tinder if they were ever found.

In the middle of my swinging, a red glow caught my eyes. It beamed out of the darkness beyond a bush covering.

"Psst, Sam. Check this out." I gestured.

He tilted his head in bewilderment, his snow cap tipping slightly. "Austin, it could be a sniper laser for all we know. Best to steer clear."

I scoffed and proceeded towards it. "It's a red beam of light, bro. How can you call that a sniper laser? It might as well be Rudolph's nose."

The bushes rustled as I parted through them. Immediately, my jaw dropped.

"Holy cow." Sam came up by my side. He joined me to gawk at the majestic herd of reindeer. In front of the herd was one with a shining red nose.

"It is Rudolph's nose!" We both exclaimed.

We looked at each other and back to the nine reindeer. They flanked what looked like a busted sleigh. Huge, shiny pieces of fine polished wood were littered around.

My brain chimed to process what I was seeing, and then it gave up when a burst of laughter tore through the air.

"Ho! Ho! Ho!"