Page 70 of The Scrooge Effect

“But—”

“Ah! What did I just say? Now, where were we?”

“Fox, if he’s hurt…” My chin wobbled as I tried desperately to hold back the tears. I didn’t want to cry. Hell, I didn’t want to even think about what might have happened. I just wanted him home safe with me.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this covered. We’ll find out what happened and get him home by Christmas.”

He stormed off without another word, and after a moment of indecision, I ran after him, desperate for answers. It had been two hours since I’d talked with Lock, and I was going out of my mind.

We headed to the basement, the light from outside vanishing as we sank to the depths of the silo. When the elevator doors opened, I gasped at what was waiting.

“Fox…what…”

Grinning, he stepped forward, motioning to the room, which was filled with a butt-load of Christmas stuff. But the main attraction… wow.

“This is the Fox Runner.”

“Um… why?”

“Why is it called the Fox Runner?”

“No. Why do you have a sleigh in the basement!” I walked around the damn thing, running my fingers over the smooth wood that gleamed with touches of gold. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

“Well, someone has to deliver presents to the thousands of kids all over the world.”

“Yeah,” I snorted, going along with his amusing tale.

“I’m not joking,” he frowned. “What? Did you think Santa Claus did that?”

I wasn’t sure if he was being serious right now, but Fox tended to pretend a lot to get people to think he was naive.

“So, what exactly is your plan? We’re going to get in this thing and fly all over the world in search of Edu?”

“Not all over the world. I mean, we have their location. It would be pretty silly to go all over the place when we know exactly where he is.”

“Right,” I laughed uneasily. “So, how does this thing fly? Reindeer?”

“Ha! That’s a good one. Nope. Pure jet fuel.”

“Yeah?”

“No, but that would be so awesome. Come here. Let me show you something.”

I followed him over to another room, grimacing when he opened the doors to the most disgusting smell.

“What is that?”

“Manure. I know it gets a little pungent, but reindeer tend to be very gassy. It’s best not to sit behind them for too long.”

“I thought you said you weren’t using reindeer!”

“Honestly, I was a little worried you’d think I was crazy.”

“A little? Fox, you actually think you can fly with these reindeer?”

His face scrunched up in confusion. “Sleighs don’t actually fly, Harper. Let’s be serious.”

“But you think this will actually get you somewhere?”