Catching Santa Claus

Moira was determined to meet Santa Claus tonight. She needed to know the exact specifics of how he comes down the chimney, quietly puts presents under the tree, and leaves without anyone knowing anything in the house. How could he be so silent? Surely he'd slip up at some point. He comes down the chimney; doesn't he leave soot footprints? Moira was prepared to catch Santa. It had to be tonight! ==10 minutes to midnight== [[Leave the bedroom quietly]] [[Bring a flashlight]]

Moira slowly opens her bedroom door, looks both ways down the hallway, and then exits fully. She closes the door as slowly as possible to not wake up her parents (and potentially Santa!). She didn't bring her flashlight, so it’s a bit dark, but she's confident she can make it through the house with it. …Probably. ==8 minutes to midnight== [[Find your way to the fireplace]] [[Go back and get a flashlight]]

<img src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/985117/pexels-photo-985117.jpeg" width="500"> Moira rummages around her drawer and finds her flashlight. She tests it to see if it works, and blinks on and off successfully. Moira fist pumps in the air, and then she quietly leaves her room. Using the flashlight, she easily makes it to the living room where the fireplace is. ==8 minutes to midnight== [[Hide with the flashlight off]] [[Hide with the flashlight on]]

Moira puts her hand on the wall to help guide her to the living room where the fireplace lies. When she feels the wall open up to a big room, she's pretty sure she made it safely! Looking around, she does not see any signs of Santa at the moment, but she's pretty sure he should be coming soon. <img src="images/fireplace.jpg" width="500"> ==6 minutes to midnight== [[Find a good hiding spot]] [[Wait until midnight from the hallway]]

Moira decides that she probably has enough time to go back and get a flashlight, but in her haste, the door creaks loudly. She hears a muffled, "Huh?" from her parents' bedroom, and then footsteps. Oh no! Her parents are on the way! Moira scrambles to get inside her room, and as she tries to quietly close the door, it is held tight on the other side. Through the doorway, an eye peeks through. It's her mom! "Moira, it's time to sleep. It's quite late you know. It's Christmas tomorrow, we have a party and everything! You'll be too tired if you stay up any further. Now, go to bed!" Moira tries to protest, "But!! What about Santa?" Her mom sighs. "Santa is coming, don't worry dear. No go sleep." Her mom pushes her to her bed with a frown, waves goodbye, and closes the door behind her. Moira stares dejectedly at her bed. She probably can't leave her room now before midnight... Why didn't she get the flashlight earlier? With a sigh, Moira climbs into bed, planning her future adventure to see Santa next year. ''BAD END''

Moira looks for the couch and hides behind it. She's ready to witness Santa coming from the fireplace! But it's pretty dark without any light source... Will she actually be able to see him? ==5 minutes to midnight== [[Wait until midnight]] [[Switch on the living room lights]]

Moira hangs out near the entrance to the living room, hiding behind the corner. She peeks her head out to watch the fireplace, but it's too far away to really notice anything. She feels like she might need to get closer, but by the time she decides to make a move, the clock strikes 12. She pauses with held breath. One second passes. Another... and then another. But... there's nothing. No sound, no sight, no light, no "hohoho!" Did Santa come? Moira decides to check the Christmas tree to see if there are presents. She walks towards it, and yes indeed there are presents. That's scary... How did Santa get here and leave without a sound? And Moira didn't even see him. It seems that Moira will have to try next year... ''BAD END''

The clock strikes midnight with a chime. Moira waits in silence, almost holding her breath in anticpation of Santa. She stares into the darkness towards the direction of what she think is the fireplace. One second passes. Another... and then another. But... there's nothing. No sound, no sight, no light, no "hohoho!" Did Santa come? Moira decides to check the Christmas tree to see if there are presents. She walks towards it, and yes indeed there are presents. That's scary... How did Santa get here and leave without a sound? And Moira didn't even see him. It seems that Moira will have to try next year... ''BAD END''

Moira flips the living room lights on and goes behind the couch to hide. She waits for the clock to hit midnight, and as the clock sounds, the lights flicker in and out. Moira is surprised. A power outage now? As that thought goes through her mind, she sees boots peeking out of the fireplace, but the lights go out before she can see anything more. Moira scrambles to turn on the living room lights once more, but by the time the power comes back on, there are no boots hanging in the fireplace. However, presents are neatly arranged under the Christmas tree. Was it a hallucination? Did Moira really see something coming out of the fireplace? She'll never know now, but maybe next year might be better. ''GOOD END''

Moira goes behind the couch and points her flashlight at the fireplace. After a few minutes, the clock strikes midnight with a chime. Moira eagerly waits for any creature to come from the fireplace, but unfortunately her flashlight goes out. Moira fiddles with it, trying to turn it back on again, but it takes a minute to get it back up and running. As she scans the living room with her flashlight, she notices no person in the room, but presents are neatly arranged under the Christmas tree. She didn't hear or see anything! How did the presents show up? Santa must've come, but she didn't even see him... Moira sighs and quietly goes back to her room. It looks like it'll have to be next year before she witnesses Santa... ''BAD END''

Moira goes behind the couch and turns off her flashlight, hiding as silently as she can. After a few minutes, the clock strikes midnight with a chime. Moira immediately turns on her flashlight towards the fireplace in hopes of glimpsing any creature coming down from it. The light spotlights the entrance, and little boots peak out from it. Moira gasps! She's seen something! But as soon as she sees legs coming from the boots, the flashlight starts going in and out of light. Just before it goes completely out, she sees a white beard. Moira runs towards the fireplace in order to catch Santa, but she suddenly feels herself frozen mid-run. She tries to move her arms, but it's as if they're locked in place. Moira watches as a shadow comes out of the fireplace and walks towards her. A low voice chuckles. "It's been awhile since I've been ambushed! Well, child, you have indeed witnessed Santa coming to give you presents. But do be a good girl and go to bed! It's quite late, you know." Moira feels a pat on her shoulder, and then she gets quite drowsy. As her eyelids close, she thinks she hears a "ho ho ho" as she falls into a deep slumber. A light falls onto her eyelids, and she opens them up. Expecting to be in the living room, it seems she's back in her bed! She wakes with a start, looking frantically around, but it's just her bedroom, as if she never left. However, the only thing that tells her last night wasn't a dream is the flashlight gripped tightly in her hand. She saw Santa! He is real! And definitely magical. She gets out of bed, eager to see what presents he brought. ''GOOD END''