if (grief seeks solace) then tree.grow(deeper) else consume(identity);

In a near-future town obsessed with technological perfection, Emily is searching for something real—a spark of the magic she once felt at Christmas. At the state-of-the-art tree farm Evergreen Acres, she finds it: a glowing, bioluminescent tree that seems almost alive.

But as the tree takes root in her home, its golden light begins to reveal something far darker. Whispers thread through the air, calling to Emily in the familiar voice of her late husband. Dreams of a vast, glowing forest pull her deeper into its grasp, while tendrils creep through her house, entwining her world.

What begins as a symbol of holiday warmth transforms into something insidious, ancient, and patient. Evergreen is a chilling tale of grief, memory, and surrender—a haunting reminder that not all gifts are given freely.

Read the short story [runtime=”18m”]:

Enjoyed this story? Discover more chilling Christmas tales in The Shadow of Yule – Nine Tales of Festive Fear. Available now in paperback and ebook on Amazon.

Soundtrack (from The Darkwave Before Xmas): Whispers Beneath the Pines