Page 25 of Wild Frost

“Captain Immortal can heal anyone. He can control an energy field that makes cells regenerate and destroys mutations. But every time he uses his power, it shortens his life. He’ll eventually die if he saves enough people.”

“Sounds like a helluva guy. But if he can die, he’s not really immortal, is he?”

“The last person he heals will inherit his power and continue the mission. In that way, Captain Immortal lives on forever.”

“And what happens if the person who inherits his power decides not to use it?”

Jonah thought about it for a moment. “That’s part of the hero’s journey. Coming to accept his responsibilities.”

“Sounds a lot like life,” Jack said. “That’s really cool. And you created him?”

“Yup,” Jonah said. “Too bad he’s not real.”

“He could be. You never know.”

“I’m not stupid, you know. He’s a figment of my imagination, that’s all.”

“The imagination can be a powerful thing.”

“Trust me, I’m using my imagination, and I still don’t believe you’re Santa.”

Jack frowned at him playfully. “Sometimes you’ve just got to believe. How do you expect your Christmas wish to come true if you don’t believe?”

“I want Captain Immortal to visit me and make me well. Can you make that happen, Budget Santa?”

“Captain Immortal is your creation. Maybe you can will him into being.”

Jonah rolled his eyes. “Captain Immortal doesn’t exist, just like you don’t exist.”

“I’m standing right here, aren’t I?”

Jonah stared at him for a long moment. “How do I know you’re not a figment of my imagination?”

The kid was tough, alright.

“Maybe you conjured us up for a reason,” Jack said.

Jonah’s doubtful eyes persisted. “Okay, Dollar Store Santa.” He glanced at me. “Elf.” His gaze returned to Jack. “I’ll give you an easy one. If you’re really Santa, make it snow for Christmas.”

Jack tried not to look defeated, then muttered. “How about a game console? What’s your favorite?”

“Nope,” the kid said, folding his arms. “I want snow.”

JD thought about it for a moment. “You know it’s never snowed in the Keys.”

“There’s a first time for everything, isn’t there? You weren’t here when dinosaurs roamed the earth. How do you know it didn’t snow then? Anything is possible.”

“Okay. You want snow, you’ll get snow. But on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You can’t ever give up. I don’t care if you believe in me, but don’t ever stop believing in yourself. You just said it yourself. Anything is possible. Do we have a deal?”

Jonah considered it. “Deal.”

The two shook on it.

“Well, we’ve got a lot of kids to see and a lot of wishes to fulfill,” Jasmine said. “Jonah, tell Santa and his little helper thank you.”