Page 22 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

He’d even dreamed of Kraghol the previous night. Jasper knew that Kraghol was the answer to the question that had plagued him since the accident. He still didn’t know what the fuck the question was, but he knew Kraghol was the answer.

When they’d met, he’d felt something click into place inside him. He’d felt better than he had in a long time. Once he’d left Kraghol’s company, the illness had returned. And so had the longing. Jasper needed to understand it.

Jasper could not keep his distance now.

So here he was, striding through the forest. And today he walked with determination. Normally, he meandered, no idea what or who he was searching for.

Not today. Today he walked straight to Kraghol’s cave.

And he knew the way to the cave, since it was only a stone’s throw from the pond where he’d almost drowned. Strange he’d never noticed the cave before. But the entrance was pretty wellhidden behind bushes and trees. And Jasper’s attention had always been more focused on the pond and the hill.

Kali trotted ahead. She clearly knew the direction they were headed. But she was a very clever fox. Jasper could sense her excitement through the bond, as if she, too, looked forward to seeing Kraghol again.

In fact, Jasper had been pondering that. Kali had not been hesitant when meeting Kraghol. She’d been thrilled. As if it was a happy reunion. Kali had lived in the forest previously. They’d met just after Jasper’s accident, which was very close to where Kraghol lived.

Had Kali known Kraghol? Jasper knew Kraghol was keeping things from him. Was this one of them? Jasper was determined to get to the bottom of it all.

His feet slowed as he approached the place where he’d almost died. He stared up at the hill, the sharp decline with snow-covered rocks and trees that he’d banged against as he’d fallen. He stared at the pond, which had now frozen over.

What had happened that day? How had he gotten out of the water? He glanced towards Kraghol’s cave. Did the krampus know?

Kali rubbed against his legs.

“Come on. Let’s go see Kraghol.” Jasper strode towards the cave. “Hello,” he called out. “Kraghol?” He paused. Then stepped inside.

The air of the cave was only a smidgen less cold than the air outside. No embers remained in the firepit. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He glanced around at the shadows and nooks.

No Kraghol.

Sighing, he turned and gazed out over the forest. Still, he saw no sign of Kraghol. “Now what?”

Kali sat on her heels and gazed up at him.

“I suppose it’s rude to make ourselves comfortable in his cave when he isn’t here. But it is snowing.” Jasper paused. “Do you think Kraghol will mind if we wait for him inside? He seemed concerned about my well-being yesterday. Don’t you think?”

Kali, seeming to decide that it was fine for them to be in the cave, headed in.

“You’re right. He would want us to make ourselves comfortable. Also, we can start a fire. Hopefully he’ll appreciate that and won’t be upset that we invited ourselves in.”

Jasper put down his parcel and searched by the firepit. “Can’t seem to find any flint. Good thing I was taught how to make a fire without one.”

Kali hopped up onto the pile of furs as if she belonged there. She lay down, resting her head on her paws. She yawned.

“I see. You’re going to take a nap while I get to work.” He chuckled.

Kali closed her eyes. Soon the fire glowed in the pit. Jasper stood, brushing dirt from his lower legs.

He glanced at the cave entrance. How long until Kraghol returned? How long had he been gone? Jasper could wait a couple of hours at least before he should head home.

Jasper sat beside Kali on the pile of furs. He patted her. He glanced around the cave.

But what if Kraghol didn’t actually live here? The cave didn’t contain much. Just the pile of furs, some wood, and the firepit. Perhaps this was just one place he stayed. Maybe he rarely came here.

What if Jasper waited for hours and Kraghol still did not come? What if Jasper came back tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that, and still the krampus didn’t return?

His stomach clenched. He could search. But it was a big forest. He could wander it and never run into Kraghol for therest of his life. His breathing sped up. His head throbbed, and a wave of dizziness rose inside him.

Kali opened her eyes. She placed her paws on Jasper’s chest and licked his cheek.