"Please don't take these from us! Those gifts are all we can afford to give our kids a Christmas this year! PLEASE" A tearful older woman pleaded. It fell on deaf ears as the masked man who had ripped the packages from her arms took off.
Marvin Shadle sprinted full speed through backyards, hopping fences and shouldering people out of his way as he ran through the suburb of his town. The police kept losing him. He was being pretty quick and evasive for someone balancing a few packages in his arms while he ran.
Marvin ran into an alleyway and was half way down when an Officer appeared at the other end.
"Stop now!" he yelled.
Marvin spun around to run back but a couple other Officers were now blocking the other side.
"Drop the packages! Hands up now!"
Marvin followed instructions as they closed in on him.
He was unmasked, cuffed, read his rights, and transported to the jail for intake.
After being processed he sat in his cell worrying about the outcome.
"Fuck...I already have a lengthy record. The judge is gonna ream my ass..." he said to himself.
The next Morning came and Marvin was in front of the judge. She was an older lady. Marvin had been lucky with her before. Judge Penny was typically pretty lenient.
"Okay Marvin...you're 26 years old. It is time to grow up...package theft is a big deal. I could have you thrown in prison just based on the value of the items you stole alone. I'm going to give you one more chance. You will be on probation. As a condition I also want you to volunteer to help the Annual Family Christmas Drive. They are a non-profit organization that raises money to get gifts for families in need so their children can enjoy getting fun gifts their families unfortunately may not be able to normally provide. Do you agree to this Mr.Shadle?"
"Yes your honor. And thank you for the 2nd chance"
"Just don't let me down...you're free to go. The leader of the drive will meet with you in the morning."
Marvin exited the courthouse. He felt like he could finally breathe again.
Marvin was awoken by loud knocks at the door of his apartment. When he opened it a man, about 30 years old, was standing in the doorway. The man was very clean cut and friendly looking. He extended his arm out to shake Marvins hand.
"Greetings Marvin, I'm Jack. It's nice to meet you my friend! I run the Christmas family drive." he said proudly.
Marvin shook his hand. Jack had a very warm welcoming energy about him.
"So we're going to get started today. Will you need a ride to our building at all?" he asked.
"Uhh yeah if you don't mind?" Marvin replied.
"No problem at all! I'll be waiting in the car, just come out when you are ready" he said with a smile and nod before going back to his vehicle.
Once Marvin was dressed he came out and got in the car and the men were on their way.
"I enjoy getting people like you guys every year. I would rather get the opportunity to let someone do some good then have them sitting in a cell, especially around the holidays, right?"
"Yeah...of course. I appreciate you guys bringing me in to help join" Marvin replied.
They pulled up to a warehouse where about a dozen volunteers were. Inside were long tables full of items that would be given to the families. Marvin was impressed by how great the gifts were. Game systems, laptops, ipads, bikes, books, lots of designer clothes and brand name shoes.
"We are able to get this stuff because of super generous people who go out and buy to support our cause. Or they donate money and we can go buy things we think people will like." Jack said.
He continued, "would you like to stay in here and help wrap things or did you want to go door to door to try and get more donations?"
"I think i'll stay here and help wrap" Marvin said, he wasn't a big people person.
"Great! No problem! I'll leave you to it. Aj and Dj are already over there getting started. They are also here from judge Penny"
Jack left the room with the rest of the group and Marvin approached Aj and Dj at the table. They were both around his age. Both twins. Pretty hardcore looking guys. Skinheads, muscular and tattooed.
"You see this shit man?" Aj asked, "Do you think they would notice if we snuck our addresses on a handful of the packages?"
"Lets not get any stupid ideas" Dj replied.
Marvin was in no hurry to get in more trouble but he couldn't help but think it was pretty tempting. He could use a new laptop and being a big gamer a free ps5 system would be pretty sweet. He would just have to try to ignore that he is basically taking it from some poor kid.
"No seriously, we can keep the names and addresses to match the families on the list, the other half we can keep the names but just change the addresses to our houses or friends/families houses...I'm sure they will not even notice." Aj said.
"Hmmm it is true, the people working here are pretty aloof. Plus even the stuff I don't want could probably be resold at a decent price. What do you think?" Dj said as both of the twins looked up at Marvin.
Marvin tried thinking quickly. This was a chance for him to avoid bigger trouble and he ought to just do what he was brought on to do. He couldn't help thinking that their was something pretty thrilling about this kinda stuff. Marvin wasn't really someone that cared about Christmas anyways.
"Fuck it. I'm in" Marvin said.
"Yeahhhhh buddy!" Aj said reaching over to fist bump Marvin.
Marvin really hoped he didn't end up regretting his choice. He shared his address with the guys for where he wanted his gifts.
"You be the lookout and tell us when they're arriving back" Dj said to Marvin.
Marvin stood by the door poking his head out of the entrance while Aj and Dj packaged the gifts and switched the addresses on the shipping labels.
After some time had passed Marvin notices several cars pulling in.
"They're back guys!" he said running back to the group.
The trio played it off nonchalantly while the others came back in.
"Wow great job men!" Jack said, looking at all of the 'work' they had finished.
"What a great day. Everyone of you did a great job and because of you, many families are going to have a wonderful Christmas. You guys are all excused for the night"
Marvin was dropped off at his place by Jack. The whole side he was chewing his nails and his leg shook. He felt guilty and was now becoming paranoid they would be busted.
Before he got out of the car Jack reached over and placed his hand on Marvins upper thigh and looked right in his eyes. It was strange. Marvin felt paralyzed but at the same time very relaxed.
"You have seemed very nervous this whole car ride Marvin, is their anything you would like to tell me? I promise I can work with you and be pretty merciful if you're honest with me" he said with a gentle smile.
Marvin just gazed at him. It was like for a moment he had forgotten how to speak. He finally answered.
"N...no. No, I'm fine. Just nerves I guess haha."
"You sure? If you wanna come clean now is the time to do so. You don't wanna end up on the naughty list after all" he said with a cheeky smile and wink.
Marvin was still lost in Jack's gaze so he was slow to respond. He considered for a moment coming clean but ultimately kept his secret to himself.
"I promise...I'm all good," Marvin said with a nervous smile.
Jack took his hand off Marvins leg.
"Great! Well you have a good night. Here is my number in case you change your mind or ever wanna chat ``Jack said handing Marvin a piece of paper.
Marvin got out of the car and walked inside. That was so strange, he thought to himself. It was like Jack had him paralyzed and all he could focus on was Jack himself.
On the other end of town Aj and Dj lounged in their living room.
"We got some good shit coming our way. Newest phones and laptops. Free clothing. Good food and treats so we won't have to grocery shop for a while hahaha" Aj said.
"Yeah yeah, lets just hope we don't get busted. Ill it takes is some sad sack charity case family to raise hell over this and it traces back to us." Dj said.
Dj snapped at Aj to get his dirty feet and socks off the couch.
"Their is nothing I hate more than fucking feet bro, get them off my couch"
"You mean OUR couch?" Aj replied, getting up to leave the room.
Suddenly both jumped at the sudden loud pounding at their door.
Aj walked over to the door to answer. He opened the door and two large built men were at the door. They were dressed slightly similar to a police officer except their badges said North Pole.... Aj looked up at them confused. They were pretty handsome guys and very friendly looking.
"Sorry to disturb you" one of the men said with a smile. "We were looking for Aj and Dj Peterson."
"I am Aj....what can I do for you?"
"We're going to need you guys to come with us" The man said, maintaining his friendly smile.
"For what?"
"We will explain in time. If you would please follow me back to my car"
"Yeah...not happening"
Aj went to shut the door but one of the men stopped it with his foot. The man snapped his fingers and suddenly found his hands cuffed together in the front.