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lifted the M98B, his sniper rifle of choice, and pointed it toward a building still standing beyond the park. The flash of a gun barrel had not a second before highlighted the sixth floor window for him. His retina lined up with the scope. 40x zoom was perfect for the distance. No sign of his target. The debris filled the air, his vision tainted by grey dust particles refusing to settle.
Movement
. His target was not stationary, he was moving back and forth in a panic. The target found refuge away from the window.
Damn, I should have taken the shot
. With only one bullet left the marksman needed precision.
He’s back
. The target jerked,left to right. The marksman had elevation, from the fourteenth floor, he was comfortable with the angle. He fired.
Missed
.
    He knew all he had now was his sidearm for protection. He reached to equip the M9 pistol. He didn’t feel the hand grab his shoulder and pull him around. In the blink of an eye he was now facing an enemy. He didn’t feel the blade thrust into his chest. He felt nothing as his enemy’s weapon penetrated deep into his body.
    “Shit.”
You sneaky bastard. Oblivious to the enemy in the room.
Daniel threw the control pad onto the floor and shut the games console down.
Never play a first person shooter whilst pissed. I had better get some sleep if I want to see any of Christmas Day tomorrow.
Daniel was out the second his head hit the pillow.
    There was knocking at the door. Daniel tried to open his eyes; they felt glued shut.
    “Are you getting up today?” his mum called. “There’s a bacon sandwich on the go if you want one.”
    “I will be up in a minute,” he called back.
    Daniel rose out of bed, aimed for the shower then dressed in a shirt and jeans. He entered the kitchen to find his mother, father and younger brother sitting around the island unit.
    “Merry Christmas,” they said together.
    “Merry Christmas,” Daniel replied. He hugged his mother and kissed her on the cheek, then went to shake his father’s and brother’s hands in traditional fashion. He eyed his bacon sandwich and took his seat to devour the breakfast.
    “Did you have a good night?” his mother asked.
    “It was good, strange but good.”
    “Strange?” she queried.
    “Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing of importance. What time is everyone coming up?”
    “They are going to let the kids open their presents,” said his father. “Then they are going to head to us.”
    “That will be nice,” said Daniel. “So they will be here for dinner.”
    “Yes, we have an extra table,” said his mother. “We should get us four, Dominique, Ray and the four kids seated okay.”
    “It should be fun,” said Daniel.
    “I’m going to put my feet up for a bit,” said his father.
    “I will come with you, Harry.” Daniel’s mother and father left the kitchen. Matt looked over at Daniel.
    “What was strange about last night? Did you have any trouble?”
    “I’ve had a lot of unusual things happening. I think someone at work is hacking me.”
    “Hacking you,” said Matt. “A bit paranoid, don’t you think?”
    “Someone locally is up to something. I had a lot of reactions.”
    “Like what?”
    “People I don’t know making bizarre comments. It’s only around town really.”
    “Maybe it’s a joke,” said Matt.
    “I don’t think so. The webcam light on my laptop came on the other day. Since then people have been poking their tongue out at me.”
    “It’s nothing,” said Matt as he picked up his cup of tea and made his way to the living room.
    Daniel leaned on the worktop in front of the kitchen window. Three inches of snow across the lawn. An immaculate white blanket. Twigs of the trees glistened in daylight.
What on earth is going on? Someone will have to tell me.
Daniel picked up his coffee and followed to where his family congregated. The living room reminded him of Christmases of his childhood. In the far corner stood a Christmas tree, meticulously decorated by his