As the clock struck midnight, a soft thud echoed from the roof. Leo froze under his covers. Then, a rhythmic clink-clink-clink of boots began descending the chimney.
Leo held his breath, peeking through the banister. A stout man in a suit the color of a winter sunset stepped out, effortlessly stepping over the string without triggering the bell. Santa didn't look like a cartoon; he looked like a weary but joyful traveler. He moved with a strange, silent grace, placing a few hand-carved wooden toys under the tree. The Night Before Christmas
Just as Santa turned to leave, he paused. He looked directly at the spot where Leo was hiding and winked. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a small, shimmering peppermint toward the stairs. Leo caught it—it was still cold, as if it were made of North Pole snow. As the clock struck midnight, a soft thud