by Olivia Ho

Quietly, I padded toward the front door to see who was knocking. It was pitch dark outside. I cautiously pushed down on the tiny handle the Grinch had lowered so that I could open the door. Without any hesitation, the Grinch stormed pushed past me and walked toward his room, leaving a faint scent of onion and grease to linger in the long dark hallway. I was confused and sat there my nose twitching before going back to the musty kitchen. I started to doze off in my tiny little bed under the sing until when I heard the familiar chime. 

I scampered out of my bed to make his breakfast while jumping around the contraption. I used all my weight to push down the platform and the coffee was made. Then, I started to make his toast, but only two slices of bread were left. I popped them into my mouth and strategically put them into the toaster. Then, right when I just got the plate balanced perfectly on my head, I heard the toaster launch the bread into the air. I ran towards the flying bread, catching it perfectly on the plate. I put the plate on the tray that was waiting by the elevator. Exasperated, I balanced the tray on my head again. This time, I did it steadily and added the coffee to the tray. Then, I pressed the elevator button to send the food up to his room.

I made my way into the room, which used to be the attic. There were still lots of gadgets that hadn’t been moved out of the room and a hole that was made from an unsuccessful experiment. Eagerly, I gave the tray to the Grinch and sat next to his bed. It wasn’t long before I heard Christmas music playing from his radio clock. Then, a sudden crash sounded, made by the clock as it flew out of the room and into the hole filled with random contraptions also thrown by the Grinch.

Scared that I would also be thrown out into the abyss, I dove into the elevator and quietly descended, listening to the Grinch to see if he would screech now that it was Christmas. I walked towards the kitchen and back to my bed and stayed there till I heard the chime ring again. 

I took both my bowl and the Grinch’s lunch to the elevator and waited for it to slowly pull me up into the dining room. Tried to copy the Grinch’s attitude, a mean smile. He only had one small bean for lunch while I only had one piece of kibble. 

Suddenly, a small hope flickered in my chest. What if we got to go into town! I smothered the thought. The Grinch would be disappointed in me… 

When the elevator reached his room, I jumped onto the Grinch’s seat and slid the plate onto the table. As the Grinch strode into the room, he sat down and stared at the measly bean.

“What is this depressing bean!?” he exclaimed when he saw the dish. I barked in his direction, as he peered down my bowl with only one small kibble. 

He huffed and went down the stairs. I followed him. I watched as he opened each cabinet just to see the same results as I did before.

“I specifically bought enough food for a whole year!” he screamed. “How did it get eaten up, especially during the worst time of the year?” He pulled his rich green hair as I tried to smirk.

Huffing, he opened the front door and I started to drag the little cart out into the cold snow. Little did the Grinch know, I had been saving up on food and tucking it away for myself. I smirked as the Grinch walked down the steep hill. As we walked an idea popped into my head. What if I ran away?

I had it all planned out: when we got to the store, I would run out with all the supplies and go back home then live the best of my life! 

I bumped into a pole and the Grinch glared at me. I shook myself and did my best to contain my excitement as he piled more and more food. Once in a while, he glared at the people who watched him take down all the food in every aisle. 

When he was done, I saw a customer go into the store then I made a run for it! I was able to get out the door just before it closed, although the food made me slow down. I was still able to run and only dropped one can of beans. I succeeded my great Christmas Escape!

After I got back to the big, isolated house, I started to organize the food we just bought and the food I’d saved. Then, a thought crossed my mind: what do I do when the Grinch gets back to the house!? 

I started to put all the food back into the cart. I threw my my bed in too, and then trudged out back into the snow to find a better life.