By the Light of a Christmas Moon - a short mystery by Megan Higginson

It looked like a simple little door that someone had made out of bark. You could hardly detect the door, hidden as it was underneath the autumn leaves clutching at the base of the tree. The only thing that stood out was the strange silver emblem on top of the door.

Melody's eyes were drawn to the emblem as the moonbeams of the nearly full moon made the silver emblem glow and shimmer. It was that reflection that drew her to the door. In an instant, the shimmer faded. Clearing away the dead leaves that had gathered around the base of the tree, she uncovered a little pebble path and a tiny dilapidated bridge; its’ supports fallen in and broken.

It looked as if someone had made it for a special birthday party. Melody had other ideas of its origin. There was electricity in the air. Was it magic? Whatever it was, it was faint; barely a whisper. But she could feel it. Her eyes were drawn to a small blue dragon nestled in the roots of the old tree, just off to the side of the door. He stood proud with a determined glint in his eye.

'Like he's the guardian of the place,' Melody thought to herself.

A black bird landed on the fence nearby and sang a beautiful melody.

'That's strange. A blackbird out at night.'

As the blackbird sang, the song pulled at her heart as it spoke of things that she did not know, but deep down had sought all her life. The blackbird then seemed to speak to her. Her ears strained as understanding danced just out of reach.

Something caught her eye on the ground in front of the door near the dragon. A slip of paper shimmered in the pale light. The paper crackled as she opened it up. Black spidery writing greeted her.

To whoever finds this letter,

I am going to try to be as succinct as possible. I don’t have much time.

Oh that night, the night I wish I could go back and change, but at the same time would not want too. I had come outside to escape the noisy Christmas celebrations going on inside. I felt like The Grinch. My heart had been soured by Christmas. It was so commercial. What did it all mean anyway? I just wanted to get away for a bit and just breathe the night. 

I reached the tree just as the full moon reached down with its silvery fingers and brushed the surface of the door. Silver motes of light danced around the door and, unexpectedly, I was caught up in a rush of shimmery, swirling wind that seemed to run through my body. I shrunk down and was drawn through the fairy door. 

I have been trapped for fourteen years in a strange land, with strange people and customs with no way of getting home.  

If you have found this letter, believe it to be true. Entrance is only gained when there is a full moon on December 25th. It is only then, will the door reveal its secrets. It is only then, can I come home. 
Please believe it. Help me! I can give you clues for you to free me. The answers are not here in this world, but in yours. 

Find the light
Seek the Truth
The Door will open
Free the Captive  

It was signed simply, ‘C.’

I hope that enjoyed this short story. Feel free to leave a comment or share.