"...Sophie, darling? Is that you?"

"Oh, Jonathan, I...I did not know you were still up..."

"I wasn't. I woke for a drink and realized you weren't there. The sheets were still cold."

"I will be in bed soon, dear. I just..."

The man sighed as he stepped to his wife's side, "The lantern is still lit I see."

"Yes..." the woman wiped a tear from her eye, placing a hand on the small lantern setting on the windowsill. Attempting to take comfort in the warm glow, "Just...Just in case..."

"Sophie...He isn't coming..."

"But what if..."

"Snap out of it! It's been sixteen-bloody-years and he hasn't shown once!" Turning away, the man rose a hand to his mouth. Jaws clenched while he anxiously ran his fingers over his lips. "I'm...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to shout."

"It's ok, dear..." Eyes burned, turning to glass behind the woman's eyelids as she pulled her arms closer around her waist. Leaning against the window while she gazed out into the snowy field. A starless sky covered the land, coating it with darkness as the flakes fell. Dancing from the clouds to the icy ground. Lips trembled while the tears rolled down her cheeks. "I just miss him...So much..."

Stepping behind her, her husband placed to firm hands on her shoulders. Thumbs digging deeply into her spinal cord through her neck, "I know, my love...I know..."

"Do you remember, darling, how we use to use this lantern...?" She leaned back against the man, lost in a sorrowful reminisce. "I use to lit it to help guide him home when he and Charlie would play out in the meadow...And I thought that maybe if I put it back in the window..."

"I know, my dear...but the lantern hasn't led him home in the passing years. It's not going to bring him home again this year either."

Eyes burned, causing the woman to tightly clench her eyelids together to fight the sting, "I don't care what the police report says! He's not dead! Our baby boy...isn't...de-"

"Stop thinking that way!" He knelt beside her to stare her eye to eye. "Sophie, darling...They never located him or the other four children...Never found the kidnapper and it's been sixteen years. You have to let go..."

"They never found bodies either!" she spatted while snapping her head away from her husband. Glaring out into the lonely world, eyes foolishly searching the horizon as if she expected their long lost son to reappear instantly. Tightening her grip around herself, she curled into a ball on the arm chair she had pulled to the window.

Behind her, the man sighed again in defeat. He turned to retreat back up the stairs, leaving the stubborn mother where she sat, "Please, my dear...Blow out the lantern and come to bed..."

She said nothing; silently protesting him while sternly looking forward. Refusing to move. She saw his reflection in the glass before her, watching him with his head hung as he returned to their bedroom. Partly wishing he would return to comfort her, but also thankful he was no longer there. After all, it was the bloody bastard's fault their son was enrolled into Beaulieu Boarding School..Shaking her head, she tried her hardest to not place such a blame on her husband, but even with all the years that had passed, her bitterness towards it still burned passionately within her. Chewing on her lip, she pulled the blanket up around her shoulders and returned to her effortless search. Waiting...Waiting for the day her son would return to her...



His feet were resting upon the coffee table as he sat with his arms across his chest. Rising slowly and steadily with his breathes as his reclined back into the couch. Blue eyes reflecting the light from the telly as the annual Doctor Who holiday special played. Somewhat enjoying the whimsical adventure unfolding before him but also feeling an unsettling nagging feeling of loneliness and sadness within him. Frowning towards the screen as the undertone theme of a mother's love kept coming into play. Watching as the woman braved horrifying creatures without any hesitation to rescue her two children caused him to slouch onto the softness of the sofa more. Fighting back the depression rising within him; his thoughts wandered. Why did Mum not come for me...?

Migisi cheerfully cooed with pleasure as she gazed at the Christmas tree set in the corner near the fireplace. The tree itself was small and simply decorated with white lights and tiny, colorful ornaments; with spending the holiday alone, Cypher felt no need to purchase a large extravagant tree. Typically, he did not even bother with one but with the jackdaw's love for "sparkling" treasures, it would be a wasted opportunity to not have one for her to claim as her own. She had already built a nest within the plastic branches. Weaved from fibers from the living room rug, the bedroom carpet, and a discarded sock of his, she snuggled in between the lights soaking in the faint warm the bulbs gave off. Pecking playfully at the glass balls and snatching the shiniest ornaments for her nest.

The credits began to roll. Sitting up, he reached for the remote and turned the television off before tossing the remote onto the table. Frustrated with the heavy feeling that was now encumbering him. He sat forward with his elbows on his knees as he ran his hands over his face, massaging his throbbing eyes while a headache clawed at him. For a moment he sat in silence, eyes settling on the single, unwrapped present on the coffee table. A gift shipped to him from Dr. Heung; an expensive but lovely decorated full oak chess board with crystal pieces and a card wishing him well. The usual gift he had grown use to getting from the doctor over the years, having received something from him nearly ever year since they first met - even back in the asylum. It was meaningful and personal - since they had played chess before during sessions to ease Cypher's mind from his tormented nightmares - but otherwise useless for he had no one to play with. Another card sat beside the board. One from Jacob that was nothing more than heartfelt message that was borderline insulting and a Christmas bonus check.

Mrs. Anderson from next door had brought him over a plate of leftovers from her family's Christmas dinner; he had been invited over but he politely turned the offer down. Not wanting to intrude on the other family.

He also could have gone to the annual AoM Christmas party. Though he wished to not be mocked by his peers while attempting to socialize with them. So instead, he spent the night at home as he normally did, but now with Migisi. The jackdaw let out a tired yawn from her makeshift nest. Hobbling to its edge before leaping down to the armrest of the couch with an ornament hanging from her beak. She scurried across the back of the sofa and leaped onto Cypher's shoulder, clenching the fabric of his vest. Sliding down the material, she tiptoed across his leg to settle on his lap, in the groove where his two legs touched. Tucking her head close to her while her wings were pulled tightly to her back, she lowered her body against him; resting her head on his left leg while her tail draped over his right.

Her peacefulness seemed to ease Cypher slightly while she caressed against him, bringing a tiny smile to his face as he glanced down at her. Gently rubbing her back between her wings with his finger as he carefully leaned back onto the couch. Resting the back of his head on the cushion. Eyelids growing heavy while the warmth of the crackling fire blanketed over him. Taking comfort in the tiny bird's presence for even if he had no family to share the holiday with...He was not truly alone.

"Dad...Mum..." he quietly said to no one particular, just as he did every year as the clock struck midnight, indicating the change of day. "Whoever you are and wherever you are, Merry Christmas....Sorry I could not make it. Maybe next year...?"

Words slipped away with a shaking sigh, while he pulled his left arm close to his stomach. Mimicking a small embrace. His right hand carefully cupped around the bird, trying to keep her warm as the two drifted to sleep.