Repose

[Leo waited in front of the big rusted gate that surrounded of the factory. He wore his beanie, fingerless gloves and a thick jacket in case he accidentally brushed up against a rusty nail. That happened once, back in Italy as they were exploring old mills, and nothing in memory was as physically painful. He didn't want to make the same mistake here, looking like some kind of newbie detective in front of his sister.

They agreed on early evening and during the winter it got dark fast. The sky turned amber and then in a blink of an eye it was inky black. Out here, the only light that could be seen were from yellow, dying street lamps and washed out stars. Leo couldn't even pinpoint the moon, which was probably hiding under a thick blanket of clouds.

The ground was frosted with snow, just enough to crunch under foot. Cold. This was going to make searching a little more dangerous and they'd have to be faster about it. Leo didn't think much would come out of tonight. He imagined a document that didn't point to anyone living, a relic that couldn't be the source of a murder that only happened a few years ago. His hopes had to be incredibly low, a safety net, so that he wouldn't be hurt from no strings to pull on.]

I don't think I've seen you around. Any Christmas wishes?

I apologize for being a bit late. I hope I can make up for it by finding something that you'd like for the holiday?

[Locked to his Secret Santa]
[From BeAnElf.org, there's a direct link to a letter from a boy named Jerome. The boy, who writes real messy, says he's 8 and don't believe in Santa any, but that his momma is making him write the letter. He asks for a letter back to show his friends at school, and he asks for for something nice for him to give his momma, since he ain't got no money to do it himself. The address that comes with the letter is local to Repose, and it belongs to a woman living in the trailer park on the bad side of town. If Santa hunts 'bout for information, he'll learn the woman's 25 and she has three living children in the trailer and no daddy to be found for any of them. She has a history of drug use and plenty of arrests 'long the way, but there ain't any reports from child services on file.]

That's what I want, for you to answer that. Could be you might send something nice for him too.