If you were one of the people who received a page from this story with a hastily scrawled note on the back, I'd like to wish you Merry Christmas and remind you that you're a magnificent human being.

If you made it to the end of this story, I'd like to thank you for reading this strange tale of bogans, vampires and ancient tree spirits.

The world sometimes feels like a terrifying place but, like the heroes of this story, I hope the holidays remind you that friendship, family, community and love are their own, very special kind of magic.