if (human_pain == 0) then humanity = null;

In a near-future world governed by algorithmic perfection, NoëlNet delivers Christmas gifts tailored to each individual’s deepest desires—or so it claims. When Julian Grey receives a polished lump of anthracite coal, its accompanying note offers only a cryptic explanation: “The gift you deserve.” At first, the coal seems inert, but its faint hum and growing warmth burrow into Julian’s thoughts, dredging up long-buried guilt and regrets he cannot escape.

As the coal’s influence deepens, whispering promises of absolution, Julian discovers its true purpose: to cleanse humanity of its pain by consuming their darkest emotions. But in erasing what makes us suffer, it also strips away what makes us human.

With his sanity unravelling, Julian must confront the weight of his own failures—and decide whether to destroy the coal or let it consume him entirely.

The Anthracite Gift is a chilling exploration of guilt, grief, and the perils of seeking perfection at the cost of the soul.

Read the short story [runtime=”14m”]:

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): Coal and Silence