The purple portal (part 1)
Shawn Dearn via Unsplash
Mirrin Gemmell pens this dark short story about a struggle to keep the light in the world
It is December 20th, 2025. A night like no other – cold, bitter and almost Christmas. You might expect that, at this time, children would be ecstatic with joy: finally, Father Christmas is coming! But it isn’t like that any more. This is not a happy story about the season.
This story is about how I ruined Christmas.
Yes, I ruined Christmas. Back in 2020 it was December 23rd and you bet I was so excited. I mean, it’s a season where you see your family and get gifts: it can’t get better than that. But something perfect always has flaws.
I had written my wish list but since the spread of the virus known as Covid-19, I could not post it to Father Christmas. But my excitement got the best of me and I went out. When I walked out of my house there was snow everywhere. I had not seen the outside for a while so I was enthusiastic. The gleaming snow falling from the bark of the trees, forming a pillow of snow, was delightful. My crimson hat stood out like a sore foot in the snow.
I dashed across the street and reached the Post Office door. You should have seen my face. I was so foolish, thinking the Post Office would be open in a pandemic. Looking through, I hammered on the door. No one answered – as I expected.
Suddenly, a purple hole formed in the air. My hair was standing on end – it felt like the world was spinning in circles. Scrunching my eyes closed, I could feel the cold breeze coming closer. THE PURPLE PORTAL WAS COMING CLOSER TO ME!
At that moment I wanted to sink into the ground: this was a nightmare. Only if I had known before I knocked that it was no ordinary Post Office. I only figured that out too late. It wasn’t a Post Office – it was a portal. Go through it and you’ll appear in a different place, in a different dimension, at a different time.
Never – and I say never – go near one. Because you don’t know if you will come back.
Anyway, back to what was happening. I was howling out to the universe as the purple hole got closer: “SOMEONE! ANYONE! SAVE ME!”
It was no use. It was like I was nothing, like I was non-existent.
“ It was a portal. Go through it and you’ll appear in a different place, in a different dimension, at a different time.”
The fear in me grew tired. And at the moment I closed my eyes, I woke up to the weirdest thing. “This has got to be some kind of prank,” I thought to myself. “Where am I? It can’t be: there’s snow dripping off giant trees. No, no, no. Am I in the North Pole?” Millions of thoughts ran through my mind. The snow pricking on my skin made me jump out of my thoughts and back to the matter at hand. I could not bear the dazzling white flakes landing onto my silky coral pink coat.
Was this how I would spend my Christmas? Stranded in the North Pole? How would I get back home? It was fascinating walking through this winter wonderland but I could barely enjoy it because of the freezing air.
Then out of nowhere I heard jingling bells – not the song Jingle Bells, but actual Christmas bells. That’s not even the best part! The ruby sleigh was dashing through the snow, Rudolph guiding it through the night and showing all the reindeers through the night sky.
At that moment I had had the realisation that I should call for help.
“Help!” I shouted, my voice louder than a baby crying.
I heard a big whoosh! and coming in to land was Santa’s sleigh. “But how is this even possible?” I thought. I could not believe my eyes.
“Hmm. Now, what are you doing here in the North Pole, young lady?” the old man with the white beard said.
I was in shock. In that moment I final realised I was at THE NORTH POLE. I was quivering and stayed silent with no words.
Soon I was in the sleigh with Father Christmas, soaring though the cold breeze, and a bit less scared than I had been. Eventually we got back to Santa’s grotto. He settled the reindeers and all of a sudden he clicked his fingers and we were inside Santa’s workshop. Mini people were walking around the place, all jolly.
Soon I managed to squeak out a couple of words. “Mister, where are we?”
The old man laughed out loud. “Call me Father Christmas, that’s fine,” said Father Christmas. “We’re in my workshop,” he said, proudly, and then added: “Isn’t it pretty obvious?” I laughed nervously. “Well, we need to get you home, don’t we,” said Father Christmas. I nodded quickly. He had a reassuring smile on his face. “Don’t worry. We will get you home.”
He explained his plan to me. First, we needed to reopen the portal. Then, he would teleport me to the right dimension with a click of his fingers and make sure I arrive at the right destination. But first we needed to capture a comet to help us with the reopening of the portal, for a stronger connection.
At the time I though everything would be easy. But little did I know that a comet reopening a portal is not as easy as you would think it would be.
Well, maybe it could have been easy.
If I had listened.
