that Christmas Eve was almost perfect the night was cold Stars scattered across the sky and the warmth of our little house wrapped around us as we put the last few ornaments on the tree my sisters and I had begged mom to keep us up just a little longer just a few more minutes to make Christmas last to stretch out that magical night we'd pulled out all the tricks we knew Just One More Story mommy please please can we sing one more Carol she had laughed indulging us but finally just like every year she promised us
Santa wouldn't come if we were awake and up we went reluctantly but with a kind of breathless anticipation of the morning so up we climbed leaving her by the tree I still remember her face warm with the soft light of knowing her children were happy only it didn't stay that way the scream was what got me it ripped right through the house thick with fear I didn't know it was my mother's voice right away there's something in a true scream that doesn't sound human something that feels like it reaches out to grab you in the
dark and freeze you where you stand my sisters and I stumbled out into the hallway barely awake and totally clueless the house was still dark except for the weak glow of the Christmas lights from the living room my youngest sister clutched my my arm her eyes wide and frantic we all stayed still paralyzed listening to that awful silence after a scream but then a faint sound took over footsteps a man's footsteps he wasn't like a shadow he was more real than that The Closer he came the clearer his face was even in the dark and
it wasn't the face of someone we knew not a neighbor not a family friend not even a stranger you'd see in the street something was off something that told me told all of us that he shouldn't be there sh he brought his index finger to his lips that's when it came to light the glimmering blade he was holding a knife its cold metal glinted even in the weak Christmas lights that danced along the walls he didn't move like a man who was lost or scared he moved with purpose his eyes locked on us not in
a way that was angry or even rushed just deliberate my mother who I noticed cornered behind the tree screamed again it was a sound of pure Terror a sound that seemed to come from her very Soul we wanted to run but it was as if we were all glued to the floor I'd read about the fight or flight response but I never knew about freeze that's what it felt like like everything around us had stopped and we were just stuck there trapped in some horrifying nightmare we couldn't wake up from I heard a shuffle a
muffling sound and my mother's voice Rose in a high- pitched whimper I saw her then lying against the wall clutching her stomach her hands were red and sticky blood so much of it she tried to stand but couldn't her face Twisted with pain fear and something else like she was begging us not to be there to go away as if that would keep us safe he didn't stop he just stood there towering over her his chest heaved as he held the knife out his breathing filled the room almost rhythmic it was the only sound other
than the faint Buzz of the Christmas lights and then without a word he lifted the knife again so calm like it was nothing and brought it down hard I don't remember the scream that came out of me I don't even know if it was real or just in my head but it was like something broke inside of me like the scream was everything I was in that moment every terrified second stretched out as he lifted the knife again and again I could feel the warmth of my sister's hand trembling against mine she was sobbing but
it was silent her face was buried in my arm as her tiny frame shook with fear I wanted to cover her eyes but I couldn't move I just couldn't the knife kept coming down each time a thud each time another flash of blood the way he moved it was like he was possessed like he wasn't even human his face held this expression one I can still see if I close my eyes blank emotionless like it was nothing to him just a task something he was supposed to do I realized then that he'd come for her
it wasn't a robber but a homicide he looked up once finally his eyes finding us through the dark and for a moment his lips curved not a smile not quite but close like he knew he'd won like he knew this night this Christmas was his as I held my sister tighter the sound of sirens pierced through the air red and blue light started flashing Through the Windows cutting into the room throwing Shadows across the walls and he stepped back just once just long enough for me to see what he'd done mom was silent still her
eyes open but not seeing us anymore the man was gone before the police got there Vanishing into the cold Christmas night leaving behind nothing but the echo of that awful Scream the red stains across the floor and the hollow space that my mother used to fill they never found him the questions were were left hanging and we were left wondering and every Christmas since it's like she's there with us her face pale and her eyes wide forever trapped in that night only the lights feel dimmer the laughter quieter like even our happiest moments are haunted
by her memory Christmas isn't the same and it never will be it was December 22nd 2013 and Patricia Burns was making turkey on Christmas Eve with her two daughters when her ex Clifford burn stopped by the house wearing a mask he stabbed Patricia to death right in that kitchen unfortunately her teenage daughters watched their mother meet a horrifying end before calling 911 for help Clifford burn gave reason that he just wanted to see his daughters after the rocky marriage with Patricia Burns 46 was charged with second deegree murder he accepted a plea deal and was
sentenced to 23 years to Life Behind Bars being an orphan every year my friend Julia's family invited me to their Christmas dinner I remember the Garland wrapped around their front door and the scent of Pine and cinnamon spilling out as I walked in the whole family of 10 was there kids and adults but this year the energy was off Julia's eyes kept darting toward the door are you okay waiting for someone Julia side just worried Brent might show up Brent was her ex-husband a loose cannon they married when they were 18 and divorced just 5
years later he was abusive Reckless and everyone but Julia saw it coming from a mile away they'd been going through a nasty divorce and he'd lost custody of their son Peter just weeks before before I'd only met him a few times but that was enough to feel his intensity Brent had this presence about him something dark I told him he couldn't see Peter until after the holidays but he's not taking No very well he got a restraining order don't worry you're with family she managed a weak smile but I could see the worry on her
face later while we were gathered around the tree there was a knock at the door Julia face went pale and the laughter in the room died instantly I got up to answer it expecting to brush off some random visitor but as I opened the door my breath caught it was Brent dressed as Santa Claus he had the red suit the hat and even a fake white beard that only half covered his face but it wasn't a joyful Santa standing there his eyes were cold focused he clutched a massive bulging sound back over his shoulder frun
you're not allowed to be here he pushed me aside and barged in Julia gasped clutching Peter close to her I just came to bring gifts for my son it's Christmas after all the room was quiet you need to leave Brent his eyes narrowed I came all this way let me see my son just for a minute attend silence filled the room I could feel the unease building as Brent's gaze drifted to each of us then he reached into the sack and pulled out something long and metallic wrapped in shimmering paper he ripped it open revealing
a shot gun BR what the hell before I could even process it he raised the gun pointing it around the room as he spoke his voice eerily calm you all turned on me you took everything I just want my family back the room erupted into chaos Julia screamed pulling Peter behind her as people scrambled for cover I froze feeling a numb sort of horror wash over me as Brent started firing shots I jumped behind the couch grabbing Julia's hand and pulling her along as she clutched Peter Brent shot her dad twice in the chest then
chased her mom into the kitchen where he ended her I could hear him talking almost to to himself rambling about betrayal about everything he'd lost his voice was a blend of bitterness and raw Fury and it sent chills down my spine they took away my everything my everything my everything somehow we managed to crawl toward the back hallway and Julia and I ushered Peter into a closet I handed her my phone Whispering that she should call the police while I try to draw Brent away I made my way to the front door hoping he'd see
me from the kitchen and follow I glimpsed the destruction behind the shattered decorations the spilled drinks the smear of Blood on the floor Brent shouted from the kitchen you're not trying to leave the party early are you Alysa I bolted but he shot at me he hit my leg and I went down that was the most afraid i' been as I desperately crawled to the door while he walked up to me ready with his gun I saw Julia's brother and Uncle lying in blood nearby and I knew that my fate would be the same but
just as he was about to shoot Julia jumped out of nowhere she wrestled him and yelled at me to leave I got up on one leg and hopped out rushing to the neighbors for help who were already out that's when we all heard two more shots go off the police cars arrived quickly and they barged in only to find a bloody Santa with his son sitting in his lap a shotgun lying At His Feet beside the body of Julia Brent was taken away sentenced to a lifetime in prison I took the custody of Julia's son
who lost his entire family to that madman it's a wound we could never heal from the story is inspired from the kovina massacre one of the most shocking crimes in recent American history which occurred on Christmas Eve 2008 Bruce Jeffrey Paro recently divorced and deeply resentful arrived at his former in-laws home in Cina California dressed in a Santa Claus suit the family was celebrating their annual Christmas gathering with about 25 relatives and friends and attendance without warning Paro entered the house and opened fire with semi-automatic handguns instantly killing several guests he then used a homemade
flamethrower to set the house a BL causing the residents to burn down completely nine people including his ex-wife Sylvia Paro lost their lives that night after the Rampage Paro drove to his brother's house where he later took his own life a massacre was motivated by a bitter divorce and paro's financial struggles he had recently lost his job and was forced to pay significant alimony to his ex-wife at' 67 I had learned to Value every relationship I cultivated especially those that Blossom from trust and affection Patty Michelle White seemed like an ordinary woman on the surface
but her story was more complicated than it appeared we met years ago through my family at one of our many family parties she was a friend of my nephews and at first I didn't think much of her however when she found herself in a dark place in her life facing financial difficulties I decided to open the door of my home to her I offered her a place to stay something I thought would help her find her way I remember the first day she arrived at my house she had a small suitcase and a shy smile
perhaps a little nervous thank you Michelle this means so much she said I looked into her eyes and she seemed like a grateful woman I could only pity her for what she was going through in time we shared more than just a space we even had late night conversations which were honestly the best part of my days we talked about life Lost Dreams and the choices that had brought us to where we were remember when we were young and thought we'd have it all figured out by this age I would joke yeah and here we
are just trying to survive I would reply laughing at how ironic life can be as the weeks went by Patty became part of my routine I even let her use my car to run on errands and I shared my debit card pin with her so she could buy food for both of us it was a mutual trust that bordered on Blind Faith and she often told me she thought of me as a mother she made me feel useful like I was reliving my parental days one afternoon my twin brother Phil came to visit eager to
meet Patty it's always good to meet new friends he told me as he sat in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee patty just walked in smiling and bringing freshly baked cookies it was quite a pleasant afternoon she talked about her problems with her ex her financial situation and how she was trying to get her job back but she always seemed motivated she's taking good care of you huh Phil said to Patty in a joking tone I'm definitely stealing some of her love she replied laughing I felt a warmth in my chest a joy at
the connection we had made as the weeks turned into months and Christmas approached we decorated the house together creating a festive atmosphere filled with laughter the thought of spending the holidays with someone I had come to love like a daughter was exciting and this year the big annual party would be at my house little did I know the gift my good friend Patty had prepared for me one day while I was in my room I decided it would be a good idea to give Patty a key to the house this is just to make you
feel more comfortable here I said as I handed it to her with a smile she took it with Trembling Hands her face reflecting a mixture of happiness and something else I couldn't identify I even felt compassion realizing that no one had ever treated her this well a few days later as I was getting ready to host some friends for dinner I noticed that Patty seemed a little more nervous than usual I saw her pacing the house her gaze Restless as if waiting for something everything okay Patty I asked her and she smiled but something in
her eyes didn't match her expression on the evening of the 6th of December Phil came to see me again during dinner he couldn't stop laughing and telling stories from our childhood while Patty served the food but only he and I were laughing she looked quite serious and lost in thought which worried us both finally after Phil left we were alone in the house surrounded by twinkling lights and the smell of freshly baked cookies I felt comfortable and confident as if everything were fine but what I didn't know was that the night ahead was going to
change everything Patty you scared me Patty Michelle oow a 67-year-old Florida resident was found murdered on December 2nd 2011 her twin brother Phil ax discovered her in her apartment after growing concerned about her absence from work the scene was horrifying Michelle had been beaten strangled and her body was hidden beneath Christmas gifts the apartment was in disarray with valuables missing including her debit card which had been used at nearby ATMs and captured on security cameras the main suspect Patty Michelle White a 37-year-old family friend had lived with Michelle for a time and had access to
her home and cards it was revealed that white had returned to Florida from South Carolina with the intent to rob her Phil ax described his sister as a sweet and innocent person and expressed his anguish over her brutal murder white confessed to the crime after being apprehended in South Carolina and was extradited to Florida where she was sentenced to 45 years in prison for murder and robbery the investigation was led by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office this
