X'mas challenge - Reindeer
Yes, another one.
Reindeer
Tracks groaned as he watched the traffic build up on the streets, with more and more cars forming a snaking line every minute. He himself sat parked by the side of the road while Raoul went into one of the toy stores to buy Mirage’s gifts, as well as a few more decorations for the tree to go with the hand-crafted ones the orphanage children were making.
“Such poor time management,” he said to himself, as he watched people go to and fro, in and out of stores. “Why, on this planet, they have to wait till Christmas Eve itself to do their shopping is beyond me.”
“It’s the thrill of grabbing last minute bargains,” Raoul said as he opened the door, arms laden with bags and packages, all colorfully wrapped. Then he looked up and saw the jam. “Oh great, how are we gonna get outta this one.”
Tracks sighed dramatically. “Guess I’ll have to try and fly us as far as I can. Do try not to get sick this time, I took a lot of trouble to look good for the festivities tonight.”
Raoul slammed the door shut and strapped himself in. “Just get us there on time, pretty boy. Honestly, I don’t know why I even put up with you sometimes.”
“Because deep down inside, you endeavour to be just like me.” Tracks started up his engine and flipped out his wings.
“Or I’m just a sucker for punishment,” Raoul replied as the Corvette took off.
They flew a couple of miles into the city and were only a few more blocks from the orphanage, when Tracks’ engine began to hiccup and they started to descend.
“Drat,” Tracks cursed. “Must have used up more energy than I thought getting out of the Pine Barrens. I don’t have enough fuel to make it the rest of the way.” He touched down on the road again and came to a stop in front of a small park. “Any bright ideas this time Raoul? Or perhaps you’d like to push me the rest of the way.”
Raoul peered out through the windshield. “Actually I think I do.” He got out of the car. “I’ll be right back, don’t go anywhere.”
“Very funny.”
The boy snickered as he ran up to an elderly man sitting on a bench beside an open-topped carriage that was attached not to a pair of horses, but reindeer. Tracks had a sinking feeling inside his fuel banks, which only increased as the man stood up, unhitched the animals from the carriage and led them behind Raoul towards him.
“Oh no.”
“Hey Tracks, Mr. Johnson here’s gonna lend us his reindeer to get us to the orphanage. They’re gonna tow you behind them and I can guide them from your roof,” Raoul informed him.
The man, meanwhile, finished hitching the pair of animals to a mortified Tracks’ hood, and Raoul scrambled onto his roof, straddling the top of the tree as he took the reins.
“That’s the last time I’m asking you to think of something,” Tracks told him.
“Yeah, that’s what you said the last time.” Raoul waved to the old man. “Thanks Mr Johnson. I’ll bring them right back to you tomorrow morning. Merry Christmas!”
He flipped the reins and they were off, the reindeer pulling Tracks’ light sportscar frame fairly easily along the snow-dusted roads, Raoul guiding them skillfully from his roof. The bells on their harnesses jingled merrily as they trotted past block after block. People stopped and pointed in surprise, and Tracks half-suspected they were laughing at him.
He could only hope none of the other Autobots saw him like this, because if they did, he had no idea how he was going to live it down.
“Almost there!” Raoul called.
“Good. The sooner we get there the better. This is humiliating.”
“Aww, it ain’t so bad. Now all I need is a red suit and a beard and I’d be Santa Claus.”
“Keep wishing Raoul,” Tracks replied. “You just might get it.”
~END.
Enjoy!