Today I woke up and realized I was thankful for.... Life. Just life itself was so precious here. The time of the "holidays" passed by without even a glance because we only have one thing on our minds. To survive.

This was the most dangerous time of year. Now in the year 3042, the government had eyes and ears everywhere.

It was Christmas Eve and the clock read aloud, hissing "11:30, it's now 11:30."

I sat waiting, listening intently for any noise. At the slightest whisper I would be ready to run. My house was silent as was the rest of the city but the tension was loud and clear.

Everyone was waiting, hoping not to receive a Christmas package. Once a year on Christmas Eve they gave gifts to those whom they wished to dispose of. Some said it was random selection while others claimed that they knew exactly who they wanted gone.

Either way, it was a dreadful time of year.

"11:45, it's now 11:45." Whispered the clock, once again reading the time.

Silence rang in my ears, but I heard the roar of my heart beating out of my chest. Midnight neared and everyone held their breath.

I got up from my dark green bed and shuffled over to the door. The door opened forcefully and a cold breeze flew in from outside. The heater turned on with a quiet hum, as I stepped out on the sidewalk.

The sky was clear with nothing flying around and I hoped this was a good sign. The streets were empty and the homes were locked, no one dared be out here tonight or ever for that matter.

Turning back inside, the door shut behind me. I plodded down the hallway and returned to bed. I quietly pleaded that a noise did not raise such a clatter.

I heard myths that this day was supposed to be joyous but that couldn't be true. Had a year 2000 ever even existed? Too long ago to know because history had been wiped clean since.

"11:55, it's now 11:55." The clock called out monotonously.

5 minutes til... What? Oblivion? What had I done to anger them? Nothing, but that also means nothing.

The 'government' were a unpredictable and unseen group people. At least I assumed they were people. You never know these days. In my opinion technology had gone way too far.

Things didn't use to be like this or so I heard. My thoughts were cut off by the clock.

"11:59, it's now 11:59."

It was just one minute now. If I got something it was expected to be horrific. I had no idea exactly what but it was said to be something that would make sure you were gone for good.

I imagined a killer candy cane or a ferocious fruitcake. Maybe a gingerbread brigade or a man-eating wreath. Thinking of my own demise made the situation all the less merrier.

"12:00, it's now midnight." The clock said in a hushed whisper.

Midnight, the time was now. Jets could be heard streaking through the sky, approaching. Any second now, something was about to go down.

I could see the chimney from where I lay. It wasn't used for anything but this purpose. The metal tube gleamed and led right to the middle of my living room.

Seconds ticked by like hours. The jets were heard louder as they began to fly closer. Bells were rung, a sign of their presence.

"Please, let them pass by." I thought to myself. "Don't---"

A thing was dropped into my chimney, for it clunked around in the hollow chute as it came down.

It slid out onto the living room floor. For a moment I didn't move and the noise of the jets faded as they flew away. It was once again deadly silent.

I creeped out from under the sheets and tiptoed over to package. This was it, the end. I couldn't just dispose of it it was meant to dispose of me.

As I approached it the light glinted off the shiny wrapping paper. It was covered in bright green paper with a red bow set on top and little curlicues spiraled down from it as well.

I didn't know what to think. I had only heard of such things in rumors. I bent down on the ground and tugged on the string.

With a pull it came underdone and the paper unfolded from around a metal box. The box made a unlocking sound and metal bars came out on all sides and steam seeped out from inside.

I lifted the lid of gingerly and was relieved when it didn't explode. As the steam evaporated I saw that it was almost completely empty except for one little paper stuck to the bottom.

It read. "Merry X-mas, your activities of thinking have been observed. Next time this will be much greater gift. Watch yourself."

This was all it said, it had been a warning. It had only been a warning! I was a lucky man, where as others were not. I heard screaming and explosives throughout our block.

They had past me by this year and that was what I was thankful for. I had a year to figure out what to do.

Wait, I had been observed thinking? When had I been thinking? My heart sunk. I was doing it right now!

Can I literally just stop thinking? No, it's not possible according to most. It was described as a disease, incurable and never ending.

I was doomed. Doomed to roam the Earth until next December 24 when I would then be destroyed. It was a bleak thought, thought? Great I am thinking.

They would not control me, I would think and meet my end thinking. Thinking of what, I don't know but I would not be scared into submission.

The one thing they can never take away from me are my thoughts.They can take my life and my Liberty but my pursuit of happiness is for me to decide.

They will never control me. I guess Christmas isn't what it used to be but I will make the most of this new year and wait until Christmas for the "mistletoe" I guess they use to call it.

"Merry Christmas and a New Happy Year!" I said aloud to no one. That was the expression right?

Either way it's a very different world I'm in now, so count your blessings and say your prayers because Santa Claws comes for you!

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Hey guys!!! I wrote this dystopian short story to enter in a contest but I also hope you guys like it:) I've never written something like this before, but I think it came out good! It's a Christmas story (kind of, lol) so it's perfect for this time of year! Tell me what you guys think!