Curious, indignant and hungry, the boy followed the spots, determined to get to the bottom of this. He crawled on his hands and knees for a better view of the black trail that led him out of his room, down the stairs, to the living room. The end of the trail led to the fireplace, where dying embers cast wall-engulfing shadows behind every piece of furniture. Shadows that pulsed and vibrated as if alive, dancing as dictated by the fireplace's glow.
Pokey took a step closer. He felt like he was dreaming. Does fire move that fast by itself? When there's no wind to make it move?
No. Something's wrong. Something's making it move.
He raised a foot to take another step when the fireplace suddenly crackled, releasing a shower of sparks.
"Aaah!" Surprised, Pokey fell on his butt. Along with the sparks, the fireplace coughed up an indistinct shape that Pokey wouldn't have recognized if not for the ribbons festooned over its black form. It was his coal.
His coal walked towards him.
And as mysterious as this was, equally baffling was that Pokey didn't immediately run back into bed and will himself to sleep. Instead he remained motionless, transfixed by the animal his coal had turned into. It appeared harmless, after all. On four stubby legs it trotted over and stopped in front of the boy. It cocked its head and its red marble eyes regarded Pokey curiously. Its wagging tail had a spot of ribbon eye and the ribbon smile was taped across its rump with one loose edge dragging on the floor. The ribbon bow was taped to the base of one ear, giving Pokey the impression it was a girl.
"Hey." Pokey whispered. He extended a hand to the coal.
The animal cautiously sniffed his fingers. She licked them with her papery tongue and it would have gone against every instinct for Pokey not to scratch her neck. She leaned into his hand with a little whine and tried to lick his arm.
"You ate all my food, didn't you?" Pokey said, but more amused than accusatory. She was so warm. He picked her up and held her against his chest despite the soot she was perpetually shedding. She was completely unafraid in his arms.
