The chimney sweep

The lights were on and, they were home. Where else would they be tonight? He checked his watch, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The lights went out. In 15 minutes they would be asleep. The 8 year old daughter had already gone, the 4 year old was on her way. Their mother was brushing her teeth and the father was just putting a book down before he would turn off the bedside lamp.

He knew them well. He had been watching them all year to make sure that everything went to plan, that there were no slips. From time to time he had been forced to rush. He didn't like to rush these things, he gets sloppy, mistakes happen, things get messy. In this line of work there is no time for mess, it has to be precise, a surgical execution.

He enjoyed this time waiting as once he started, it would get very hectic, very quickly. This was the lull before the storm, a time to relax the muscles before springing to action. He always felt nervous before the curtain raised.

A twig snapped to his side and he turned his attention to his partners standing there watching for his signal. He raised his hand and paused a moment. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, they were all asleep. It was go time.

He started to move and then noticed one of his team slipping. Typical. This one had always been a bit of a trouble maker, no wonder he got teased by the rest. Useful when needed though a little whiny, he just required a strong hand to guide him. 'Pssst, kill the light.' It is a mistake like this that can come back to haunt. A light in the trees seen by the wrong eyes and then they have a witness to deal with also. Mess. He hated mess.

They were only there for support at this point, an extraction team. He would be going in alone. It took a massive amount of people to plan for this but when push comes to shove, beyond this point it is an individual effort. He picked up his bag, took a deep breath and headed towards the house.

The nerves of anticipation had been swept away by purpose and the dedication to the job. He was a professional and in his experience, this would set the tone for the future. 'No fuckups now, Nick, no fuckups.' he muttered under his breath in a silent prayer to himself.

He looked to the roof, whisps of smoke curled from the chimney, the dying throes of the fire the family had been gathered around an hour earlier. Fresh snow softly crunched under his feet as he reached for the door and tried the handle. It was locked but the lock gently gave way under the pressure of his hand.

He pushed in to the darkness in side listening for any disturbances as he went. Nothing was stirring. He moved with such silence that even if a mouse had scuttled across the floor, he would have heard it.

He looked to the living room, the glow from the fire was still strong enough to light the room, making the white walls an eerie red. He surveyed the room. He had chosen this family on purpose, good people, hard-working. They deserved better than they had received in life, as do many.

The house was clean and tidy, they kept a good home where both parents worked yet found the time to look after the kids, look after each other. He had watched them over the year, he had his people watch too. They kept an eye on them all, he knew everything about them and even when times were difficult and they were at their worst, their worst put the best of many others to shame. This is why they had been chosen, he would make an example of them.

He looked to the narrow staircase that led upstairs, almost too narrow for his hulking frame to negotiate but, he was more agile than he appeared and lightly sprang to the top, skipping the stair in the middle that creaked when the pressure of a foot was applied.

He crept down the hall confident he would not be found out, secure in his skills. He had done this many times before after all, many times. If people actually understood how many, they would change their tunes.

He peered into the parent's room. the gentle snore from the father, near silence from the mother. They would cause no problems this night. He moved along to the chidren's room, a little corner with a bunk bed. The decoration was sparse, but in the corner was a little desk with two small, pink chairs in front and coloured pencils scattered on top.

He slid past the sleeping girls and looked down at what had been drawn. A picture of a red devil? No, not a devil. The littlest girl stirred and he froze through reflex until she turned and fell back to sleep.

He walked over and looked at her on the lower bunk bed, she looked so peaceful there in the darkness. She was an active kid when awake though, smart too. Given the chance, she would likely make something of her life. Given the chance that is. He looked at his watch again, it was almost time, he must move fast now.

He looked again at the little girl and very, very softly whispered, 'I am sorry, I have to do this tonight'...she opened her eyes. Mess.

---

He walked from the house, his job was done. Despite the surprise, he had got out relatively cleanly, in fact, he felt really good about it. He knew she was a smart girl but even he wouldn't expect her to react in that way, she was 4 after all.

He reached his team. They were looking impatient. He had taken a little longer to complete his job tonight and they knew there was a long way to left to travel.

He climbed into the back and wiped cookie crumbs from his jacket. Yeah, it had gotten a little messy inside but the presents were laid under the tree and they were much, much more generous than they were expecting. If they treasured them, if they held them until the time was right, they would have a chance to do much more than just survive.

When the little girl woke up and her eyes focused in the darkness, she had smiled and said, 'I knew you were real, I won't tell my parents.'

He had thanked her and excused himself for he had a long night ahead and as he moved out of the door, he paused and turned back a moment, Actually, I gave you all Steem as gifts, tell your parents to...'

She interrupted him, 'Hodl. I know'

'Hey, Rudolph, you can put that light back on now.'

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]