Original subtitles

(beep)

(eerie music)

(Christmas music)

(crunching)

- [Narrator] Remember that story about Cindy you know who?

(items crashing)

When her Christmas was stolen, she knew what to do.

(bells ringing)

- Why, Santa Claus? Why.

- [Narrator] She killed him with kindness

and surprisiest of surprises.

- I forgive you.

- [Narrator] That one simple kiss

made his heart grow three sizes.

They loved their Christmas, those folks down in town.

But what if I said, that's not how it went down?

(tape rewinding)

- Why, Santa Claus? Why?

- [Narrator] Our tale starts just the same

coming out of the gate,

but this time we're adding just one twist of fate.

- Honey?

Oh! Get away from my daughter!

(Mom yelling)

(blows landing)

- Mommy, no!

(blows landing)

- Cindy, get back! He's a monster!

(Mom yelling)

(Mom falling)

(electric crackling)

- [Narrator] The deed had been done and now it's too late,

and that one alteration turned love into hate.

- Monster! (echoing)

(dramatic sting)

(soft music)

- [Narrator] A monster was loose, both hated and hater.

Now let's find our Cindy, nearly 20 years later.

♪ Four calling birds ♪

♪ Three French hens, two turtles doves ♪

♪ And a partridge in a pear tree. ♪

(both laughing)

- Ah, that was better,

yet, still a little pitchy.

(Dad laughing)

(dramatic tone)

You gonna be okay? 'Cause we can turn around right now.

- No. Dr. Brink thinks I need to do this.

Maybe finally get some closure.

(somber music)

- Oh, library.

Used to spend a lot of time in there.

Glocks's gym. Ah, so you can keep up with your workouts.

Think they even had batting cages.

(Cindy laughing)

Oh, Ponto's Pizza Pub went outta business.

(police siren wailing)

I don't know.

- Were we speeding?

- I don't think so.

(car door opening)

- Afternoon, folks.

Ma'am.

- Ma'am? Did he just ma'am me?

- Oh, ho, ho, you do not wanna ma'am her.

- Oh, no, of course not.

No, I, I meant, I meant miss,

'cause, you know, I'm not stupid.

- None of the best people are. I'm Cindy.

- Problem?

- Uh, nose and the antlers.

We don't allow those kinds of car decorations

within the city limits.

- What? Why?

- They say it reduces collisions. Less distracting.

- Is that for real?

- That's what they tell me.

I just transferred in a few weeks ago,

but the sheriff is adamant and it is town law.

So, you folks just passing through or you gonna stay?

- Just through the holidays.

Finally gonna sell the family house.

- The therapist thinks it's time.

- Dad!

- And get some closure. - Oh, my God.

Shut up or shoot me now.

- PTSD.

- If I kill him, will you be a character witness for me?

- Let's just try to get through the holidays

with no dead bodies.

Gonna let you off with a warning,

but if you folks decide to stay in town, lose Rudolph.

Sir.

Ma'am,

um, miss. Cindy. (Burke clearing throat)

Nice one, Burke.

- He's cute. - Oh, my God.

(eerie music)

(creepy piano music)

(keys jingling)

(door creaking)

(eerie music)

(crunching)

(crunching)

(dramatic sting)

(Cindy hyperventilating)

- It's okay. It's okay.

(Cindy sobbing)

(bird cawing)

We can go to a hotel.

- No, no. I've gotta face these memories sometime.

I can do this.

Let's stay, let's stay.

- Okay. Well, let's get some sleep.

And then tomorrow, (Dad grunts)

we are gonna get some Christmas spirit in here.

Okay?

(dramatic sting)

(rustling)

(squeaking)

(dramatic sting)

(Cindy yelling)

Cindy!?

You see the monster again?

- There's no such thing as monsters, Dad.

No such thing.

- [Narrator] Awash in the memories she left far behind,

Cindy was determined to stay inside her mind.

(silverware clattering)

(patrons talking indistinctly)

(dramatic sting)

(soft music playing in background)

- Come on out and vote for a brighter tomorrow.

(Mayor laughing)

(dramatic sting)

(bell jingling)

- Good morning, ma'am, miss, um, Cindy. Hi.

- Hey.

- Where's your dad?

- Oh, he is off buying every Christmas decoration

he can find. (dramatic sting)

Sheriff Hooper.

- You, uh, you remember me?

- Yeah, I remember you.

- This is who you saw hurt Mommy?

He was green like this.

We found this outside.

Whoever did this must have dropped it.

Can you

redraw

the man

you saw?

Because you are a big brave girl.

And big brave girls know that monsters aren't real.

Can I hear you say it?

I need to hear you say it, sweetie.

- Monsters aren't real.

- That's my brave girl.

(dramatic sting)

- Did you ever find the Christmas Killer?

- Never got a reliable description of the man.

It still haunts me.

(bell jingling)

- Oh, my God. What happened to this town?

You know they don't sell any Christmas decorations anywhere?

- What? Why?

- They said nobody buys 'em.

- There's no decorations anywhere?

- People in this town, just not that into 'em.

- [Cindy] Do you put up decorations?

- Oh, I light the candles eight nights a year.

- You're Jewish.

- Was it the nose?

In Newville I fit right in.

- Come on, kiddo.

Sheriff.

- Deputy.

- Miss, um, Cindy.

- Oh, that poor girl.

Her mother was killed and her mind snapped.

I heard she spent some time in a hospital.

- Really?

- Breaks your heart.

(bell jingling)

- You've gotta up your game, son.

- I know.

I know.

(dramatic sting)

(Dad singing) (bells jingling)

- Here we go.

What do you say we make some nog, put up these lights,

and bring some cheer to this sleepy little town?

(upbeat Christmas music)

(bells jingling)

- Better. - Better.

(both laughing)

- Keep up, keep up, keep up.

(Cindy laughing)

All right, are you good?

- Good. - [Dad] Good.

- Go. - Here we go.

Oh! - [Cindy] Yes!

(lights clattering)

- Nice.

You know what it's missing?

- Hey! (both laughing)

Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh. Oh!

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas.

(Dad singing)

(eerie sting)

Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh,

(hands slapping)

(Dad laughing)

- I got it.

(crickets chirping)

(stairs squeaking)

(rustling)

(door slamming)

Very funny, Dad.

Dad?

(Dad singing)

(fire whooshing out)

(floor creaking)

(dramatic sting)

(crashing)

Dad!

(blow landing)

(Cindy yelling)

(bones cracking)

Dad! (Dad yelling)

(tree crashing)

(blows landing)

(Cindy hitting door)

(electric crackling)

(Dad slamming against door)

(glass breaking)

(lights clattering)

(whooshing)

Dad!

Daddy! Daddy, please!

Daddy! (Cindy sobbing)

Please don't leave me.

(Cindy screaming)

(Cindy breathing heavily)

(dramatic music)

(machine beeping)

(Cindy screaming)

- [Narrator] Cindy's nightmares continued

about the blood and the beast.

If she hadn't lost her mind, she's misplaced it at least.

- Oh, I just went to take the trash out

and the door shut behind me.

- I need you to hold still, hon.

- Why are you doing this to me?

There's nothing wrong with me. He is out there.

I know what I saw, what I think I saw.

I mean, it was dark, but I'm pretty sure.

- So a Santa suit, the little hat, and green?

- Yes, yes. Just like before.

- Okay, I'm gonna get you something to help you calm down.

Just-

- No, I am not crazy. I am not.

Please don't think I'm crazy. Please.

- I don't. I don't.

(door slamming)

- Hi, Allie.

- Hi, Margie.

- Are you ready for a brighter tomorrow?

How is she? - Poor girl.

I've seen grief, but this borders on psychosis.

- Hey, maybe we can get an artist on this.

Let everybody see what you saw.

It's gonna be okay.

- Cindy? I'm Mayor Margie McBean.

I am so, so sorry for your loss.

- Losses, plural.

That guy is still out there. What are you gonna do about it?

- Everything we can, of course.

Everything. Right, Deputy?

- Just trying to get an accurate description

so we can put out an APB.

- What if it's the same guy?

What if the Christmas Killer is back?

- Not again.

- No, not again.

It's the same one that killed my mother and my father.

Oh, God. What if it's coming for me?

What if it's coming for all of us?

- [Nurse] It's okay. It's okay, sweetie.

- No, it's not okay! Are you insane?

What if it's coming to steal our Christmas?

Burke, you've gotta stop it, please.

You've gotta stop it-

- Cindy, it's okay. It's okay, You need to breathe.

Just breathe. It's okay.

(machine rapidly beeping)

(door slamming)

You don't think, I mean, it can't be the...

- The Christmas Killer is back after 20 years?

- Yeah, I guess. It's just, she seems so certain.

- When the truth is too cruel,

it's easier to believe in fairy tales.

Even really grim ones.

- So what do we do?

- Our jobs.

(eerie music)

- [Narrator] The last of her love had been stolen away,

along with her Christmas that cold winter day.

(footsteps)

- You didn't have to drive me home.

- Oh, it's all part of our service.

- Keys.

(Cindy gasps)

(dramatic sting)

- Oh, hey, I gotcha. I gotcha.

Um, I gotcha this.

This is what I'm talking about gotcha-ing.

It's, um, homemade matzo ball soup.

- You made this?

- Proudly Jewish. You should try my rugelach.

- That would've been nice.

- Would've. That sounds future imperfect.

- I don't think I have a future here.

- You're leaving?

- No reason to stay now.

- None?

- Thank you for everything you did.

- It was nice to meet you.

- And you, Deputy Burke Goldman.

(door closing)

(Cindy sighs)

- Gotcha?

So stupid.

Gotcha.

(dramatic sting)

(footsteps)

(door creaking and slamming)

(dramatic sting)

- Madam Mayor, to what do I owe the-

- What are we gonna do about her?

- Let her grieve. She's in pain.

- And my heart breaks for her. I mean, can you even imagine?

But I am trying to build a brighter tomorrow,

and I can not do that if she keeps dredging up the past.

I mean, you remember what it was like.

- Surprised you do, it's been so long, I...

- You don't forget the day your home died.

I'm trying to breathe new life into this town.

- And you know CPR.

- Is this a joke to you?

- It's funny. Just not "ha ha."

- I'm telling you, this town can not go through

another Christmas Killer thing.

Not again.

(Mayor laughing)

A brighter tomorrow, right, Sheriff?

(Sheriff laughing)

Right?

- Yes, ma'am.

(dramatic tone)

(door closing)

(dramatic music)

(Cindy scrubbing)

(dramatic music)

(footsteps)

(birds cawing)

(dramatic music)

(Cindy slurping)

(camera shutter clicking)

(camera shutter clicking)

(camera zooming)

(dramatic sting)

(Cindy yelling and falling)

- Okay, we're good.

Walter Mulberry?

(Cindy grunting)

(camera zooming)

(bells jingling)

Aww.

(dramatic sting)

(woman yelling and falling)

(punch landing)

(bones cracking)

(man yelling)

(slashing)

(man yelling)

Hey, asshole!

(monster growling)

- You're real.

(monster growling)

(dramatic music)

You're real!

You're real!

(screeching)

You're real!

You're real!

You're real!

(monster grunting and yelling)

(crunching footsteps)

(dramatic music)

(woman grunting)

- It's okay now, try and stay calm.

- Where's Darrell? What happened to Darrell?

- The helicopter took him to Mercy General.

- [Woman] He's alive, right? He's okay?

- Um, I know this is hard,

but can you describe the man who attacked you?

- Not really. My glasses flew off.

I couldn't really see anything.

- But you saw the monster, right?

- [Woman] What?

- The monster that attacked you.

You, you can describe it, right?

- What's she talking about, a monster?

- I need you to step back.

- No, no, no. I know you saw it.

- There's a monster?

- Of course not.

- No, I know you saw him. You were right there.

Why won't you say what you saw?

Tell him about the creature.

Tell him. - Cindy!

Just need talk to you over here, please.

- Just- - Now.

- [Narrator] Our Cindy was on fire, her brain was abuzz.

But fear took away reason, as it so often does.

- You are terrorizing that poor girl.

- No, I'm just trying to make her remember.

Look, look, look, look. I, I have proof.

- What is this?

Hellboy? Bigfoot?

- You can see it's a monster.

- Are all monsters born blurry? That can be anything.

- You need to pull your head out of-

- Easy! - The sand, Sheriff.

You've got two murders now.

- Those mountains are federal territory.

The feds will handle the investigation.

- So what? It's just not your problem?

- The people of this town are my problem.

I'm sworn to protect them, even from you.

- From me? What?

- You may not recall what happened when you left.

People were panicked by the Christmas Killer.

You ended Christmas with your crazy ravings about a monster.

- I am not crazy. - Glad to hear it.

- I know what I saw. I just saw it.

- I know you think you saw something.

But I can't risk my town on the word of a girl

with a history of mental illness.

No more talk about monsters.

(somber music)

- So are you gonna sit this one out too?

- He's right.

It's federal land. It's out of our jurisdiction.

Look, I wanna help, but-

- Then help.

I found this up there. There's a bunch of 'em.

- So?

- So who is Walter Mulberry

and why doesn't he need his wallet anymore?

- I'll see what I can do.

(eerie tones)

(stapler clicking)

- She's putting up flyers, for God's sake.

Do your job.

(Burke typing)

(dramatic music)

(Christmas music)

♪ And a partridge in a pear tree ♪

- Merry fucking Christmas, asswipes!

(group hooting and hollering)

- God, I hate Christmas.

- Ah, come here!

(group laughing)

(monster growling)

(van doors shutting)

(bells jingling)

(group hooting and hollering)

- Ah, you are not serious.

- Santa, bitches!

(group hooting and hollering)

- I'm just gonna put my legs up.

Hey girl, I'll make you my ho, ho, ho.

(group laughing)

- Listen up! The kitchen is closed.

The best I can do is drinks.

(group yelling)

Iced tea only.

(group groaning)

- I think I'll take an iced tea.

(smack)

- Hey! (slap)

- Oh.

- [Waitress] Do you want your iced tea sweet?

- Oh, how about regular?

I got a feeling if you lick the ice cube,

it'll be sweet enough, boys.

(group laughing)

- All right, I gotta pee.

(soft music in background)

(glasses clattering)

(dramatic sting)

(elbow connecting)

- Sorry.

- Do I swipe left? Do I swipe right?

Left.

(electric buzzing)

(dramatic sting)

(items clattering)

(waitress gasps)

(waitress screams)

(door slams)

(eerie music)

(group hooting and hollering)

(eerie music)

(door locking)

(candy cane whooshing)

(toilet flushing)

(eerie Christmas music)

(thudding)

(group screaming)

(thudding)

(screaming)

(Christmas music)

(woman whimpering)

(woman yelling)

(thudding)

(man screaming)

(woman screaming and falling)

(bones cracking)

(woman whimpering)

(Christmas music)

(person in tree yelling)

(cracking)

(air seeping from costume)

(various people yelling)

- What the fuck? Okay, I just wanted one fucking drink.

(woman screams)

(bones cracking)

(glass shattering)

(thudding, bones cracking)

(distant clattering)

(monster yelling)

(thudding)

(glass shattering)

- Go, go, go, go, go!

(slashing)

(woman screaming)

- Eh.

(bones cracking)

(woman screaming)

(glass shattering)

(woman screaming)

(machine whirring)

(woman screaming)

(monster smashing cake)

(door creaking)

(suspenseful music)

(machine crushing bones)

(waitress screaming)

(cars passing)

- [Hooper] Take it down.

- I'm not doing anything illegal.

- You're disturbing the peace, kiddo.

Take it down and go home.

- You've gotta be joking.

- I haven't had a sense of humor in decades.

- I'm just trying to help.

- I know, but you're not.

Go home or come with me.

(bells jingling)

(fire crackling)

- Our top story today, tragedy struck at the Crandle Diner.

The scene of a grizzly mass murder.

First responders are reeling

as body parts continue to be found.

The sole survivor, the diner's waitress, is still in shock.

We'll keep you updated as this story unfolds.

- [Narrator] Cindy felt her blood turn to ice at the sight.

That's when she heard something go bump in the night.

(wind howling)

(dramatic music)

(lights shutting off)

(suspenseful music)

(distant creaking)

(dramatic sting)

(door creaking)

(monster growling)

(Cindy yelling)

(gunshot)

(Cindy panting)

(Cindy breathing heavily)

(door creaking)

(dramatic music)

(punch landing)

- Ow!

(Cindy breathing heavily)

- Who are you?

- The guy who just saved your life.

It run off.

You're gonna have to learn to hit harder than that.

(Doc laughing)

You got anything to drink?

(soft rock music)

(drink pouring)

I had to keep an eye on you.

I knew when you came to town that that thing would be back.

I'm...

I'm so sorry

that that thing killed your parents.

- What thing?

- Well, you know.

You've seen it.

- Yeah, but what have I seen?

- You tell me.

- It's green in a santa suit

with claws.

Not human.

- Looks like this?

(dramatic sting)

- What is it?

- The Gr- - Finch!

Order for Mike Finch!

- He goes by a lot of names,

but to me, he's just The Mean One.

- The Mean One.

(eerie music)

- You ever wonder why nobody in this town

ever celebrates Christmas?

No lights.

No trees.

No songs.

♪ God rest ye merry ♪

♪ We three kings of Orient ♪

♪ Jingle bells ♪

Us folks down in Newville, we liked Christmas a lot.

But that thing that lives just north of Newville does not.

He hates everything about Christmas.

If he sees tinsel or, or hears a song

or, or smells chestnuts, he'll attack.

He'll attack and kill.

- But you've actually seen it?

- Same as you.

It's enough to drive you mad.

- I'm not crazy.

- You're as sane as me.

11 years ago,

my wife wanted to mail some presents

to our nephew in Florida, but we don't celebrate in town.

But these gifts were heading cross country.

She took those wrapped packages out of the car.

Never made it to the post office.

(rustling)

(dramatic sting)

(thudding, bones cracking)

That thing cut her down in the parking lot.

He cut her in half. (glass shattering)

(Cindy gasps)

I've been hunting it ever since.

He's slippery. He's elusive.

He's smart. He's so damn smart.

He's a mean one, that Mr.-

- Finch! Last call for Mike Finch!

- His heart

is an empty hole.

- Will you go to the station with me? Make a statement.

- Another one?

- Another?

- I've talked to your sheriff until I'm blue.

He won't listen to me.

- Oh, I think he'll listen this time.

- Nope.

- Are you out of your mind?

- I am exercising extreme patience

because of what you've been through,

but we're reaching the limit.

- But sir, she found another eyewitness.

- Thank you. Eyewitness.

- Doc, that old rum-soaked boozer's

got a liver the size of Wisconsin.

He sees Elvis and pink elephants.

You got a credible witness?

- Have you heard about the killings out at the diner?

Maybe somebody there saw something.

- That's out past I-96. That's state police territory.

(Cindy chuckles)

- Oh, my God. Feds handle the mountains.

State police in the valley. What exactly do you do?

- I protect this town.

- Sir, I am not trying to do your job,

but I do think one of us should.

- Get out.

Now!

- Cindy.

I'm sorry, but he's right.

We don't have any jurisdiction out there.

- So you'll do nothing too?

- Wouldn't say that.

How about I head up to the mountain?

I'll let you know what I find.

(dramatic sting)

(wind howling)

(dramatic music)

(heavy thud)

(water dripping)

- What the hell?

(water dripping)

(dramatic sting)

(footsteps crunching)

(dramatic sting)

(thud)

(Christmas music playing)

Shut up. Shut up!

(dramatic sting)

(footsteps crunching)

(rustling)

(body dragging)

(water dripping)

(dramatic sting)

(dramatic sting)

(Christmas music)

(footsteps crunching)

(Burke grunting and falling)

(dramatic sting)

(Christmas music)

(The Mean One stomping)

(eerie Christmas music)

(footsteps crunching)

(body dragging)

(eerie Christmas music)

(Doc yelling)

Drop it! Drop the weapon!

- Let me go! - Do it now.

- Are you insane? Let me go.

(punch landing)

- All right, take it easy.

(Burke gasping)

- What the hell are you doing up here?

- Who are you?

- Mathias Zeus.

- Zeus? Like the God?

- Well, everybody calls me Doc.

(wind howling)

It's getting dark. We gotta get outta here.

- Mathias! Hey, Mr.

Dr. Zeus, just wait.

I think that guy might have killed somebody.

- Guy. He still thinks it's a guy.

- Whoa. Hey, you got permits for these?

(Doc laughing)

- You gotta get yourself a weapon, boy.

- What? Why?

- You have no idea what you're hunting up here, do you?

- No. Can you tell me?

- You wouldn't believe me.

You wanna see New Years?

Go home. Lock yourself in.

Don't light a candle. Don't sing a carol.

No boxes or toys or bags or noise.

- What are you hunting?

What's up here?

(trunk slamming)

Hey, wait! (bottles clinking)

(door slamming)

(fire crackling)

- [Burke] There you go. - Thank you.

- So here's some of those wallets I found in the cave.

Gonna do some backtracking, see if anyone saw anything.

We'll find another witness.

- You believe me?

- I couldn't get a good look at him,

but I think something's going on here.

- Your boss thinks I'm whacked.

- You're a little too hard on him.

He's a small town sheriff, just the two of us.

We are not equipped for this level of bad.

He's a good man.

- Wow. You're a forgiving soul.

- I'm Jewish. It's in my blood.

- How's that working out for you historically?

- Well, you know, we still have our souls.

Better to forgive evil than become part of it.

- Yeah. Well, I'm not Jewish.

- Well, there's hope for you yet.

You already forgave me.

- I did?

Good for me. Do I know what for?

- You forgave me for passing off

store-bought matzo ball soup as homemade.

(both laughing)

- You didn't? You schmuck.

I'm sorry. Can I say that?

- I'll forgive you.

- Why'd you do that?

- Because I wanted to impress you.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

- Well, I am impressed.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

(both chuckling)

(dramatic music)

(shower running)

(door creaking)

(dramatic music)

(suspenseful music)

(punches landing)

(bones cracking)

(Cindy screaming)

- [Narrator] Nightmares made it hard to know

what's real and what's fake.

But Cindy found a mission now that she's fully awake.

- I'm gonna kill it.

(intense Christmas music)

- [Doc] You're gonna have to learn to hit harder than that.

(intense Christmas music)

(gun clicking)

(punch landing)

(punch landing)

(bells jingling)

(gunshot)

(intense Christmas music)

(bells jingling)

(Cindy humming)

- Hi. - Hi, good morning.

Great morning.

- You're in a good mood.

- I am. I really am.

Feels like a fog has been lifted.

For so long, I've been lost and confused,

but now, I don't know, all the doubts and worries are gone.

I feel great.

I know exactly what I need to do.

Ooh!

I'll take a dozen of those.

Excuse me? - Yeah.

(intense Christmas music)

(gunshot)

(rapid gunshots)

(punches landing)

(gunshots)

(intense Christmas music)

(punches landing)

(punches landing)

(rapid gunshots)

(gunshot)

(punches landing)

(kick landing)

- Oh, shit.

(soft rock music)

(keys jingling) - Oh.

(Doc grunting)

(door closing)

(keys jingling)

(police siren wailing)

Oh, shit.

Damn it.

- License and registration, Doc.

- How you doing?

- Better than you. - Yeah.

(lights turning off)

(footsteps)

(door creaking)

- Here you go, buddy.

- Thanks, Charlie. Was starting to wonder.

(door shutting)

(box opening)

What the hell?

Charlie, it's Don. You dropped off the wrong package.

I ordered bell peppers, not

(bells jingling) jingle bells.

You better come and get this.

(bell jingling)

Sorry, we're closed.

I'm just closing up, but I'll wait for you.

Okay, see you in a bit.

(dramatic music)

(door locking)

(pattering)

(dramatic music)

(items clattering)

(dramatic music)

(bells jingling)

(Don yelling) (cleaver thudding)

(blood squirting)

(cleaver thudding repeatedly)

(tape ripping)

- Don?

You here?

(dramatic sting)

- [Doc] Come on, Sheriff, really is this-

- [Hooper] You know the way.

- Ridiculous. I just, I didn't do nothing.

- Oh, come on, Doc. Twice the legal limit?

- I'm trying to help you, Sheriff.

I'm trying to stop a monster.

- Me too, not letting you loose

with a shit ton of bullets 'til you dry out.

(cell door slamming)

- It's all fallen apart, Sheriff, you know that.

- Yeah, I know.

- Can I have some snacks at least?

(eerie music)

- Madam Mayor.

- Sheriff, what are you doing here?

(trunk slamming)

- Going somewhere?

- Just heading up to Tahoe, see my sister for the holidays,

that's all. - Mhm.

- Just through the new year. - Hmm.

- What do you want, Sheriff?

- I wanna know if you did anything

that'll bite me in the ass if someone looks too closely.

- Who's looking?

- Trained eyes.

- Then get them to look elsewhere.

- Open to suggestions.

- I'm not your deputy anymore, Pete.

I can't do your job too.

God, nothing has changed.

- Everything has changed.

The hikers, the diner, Doc, now Cindy.

Truth is bound to see the light of day.

- Then extend the night.

If I burn, I'm pulling you into the pyre.

- Maybe it's because his head isn't screwed on quite right.

Maybe it's because his shoes are too tight.

Maybe his heart is two sizes too small.

(knocking on door)

- [Burke] Cindy, it's Burke.

- Come in.

(door squeaking and slamming)

- You are not gonna believe what I found.

I've started looking through all those wallets and IDs.

So look at this.

Look at that backpack.

These shoes, those are hiking boots.

Here, check this out.

Yosemite hiking pass, this one, so...

They're all hikers. Every single one of them.

- Okay? - Okay.

So I went on Facebook to look at photos,

and look at this.

He's here,

here,

and here.

All these people went missing

between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

- [Cindy] He hates Christmas.

- These are all the last photos any of these people posted.

He's likely the last thing any of them ever saw.

- The Mean One.

- Sure, but why come here to hike?

So I Googled "hiking in Newville" and I found this.

This website's telling people to hike new mountains,

but they're blocking their IP address,

so I kept digging and digging,

and guess what I found?

(dramatic sting)

This website is run by Mayor McBean.

She's been luring these people to their death.

- So let's go say hi.

- I went by her place. She's in the wind.

Car's gone. Place is locked up.

- So dead end.

- I put out word to highway patrol.

I mean, maybe we'll get lucky.

- Don't believe in luck.

The mayor's your problem. The monster's mine.

- Well, actually, Cindy,

I really think that something bigger is going on here.

What are you doing?

(dramatic music)

- Preparing.

- To invade France? (Cindy chuckles)

Wait, you're not going after that thing, are you?

- What? No.

I am not gonna be a victim anymore.

- Come on, this is crazy.

- Don't call me that.

- I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.

- Then don't say it.

I'm not crazy.

For 20 years, they convinced me I was.

I was some freak.

Oh, and Frankenstein ate your granny too?

- Oh, actually, you know what?

Frankenstein wasn't the monster, he was the doc,

not relevant.

- Well, I finally know the truth.

I am not gonna be fooled anymore.

I am not gonna be patronized or lied to

or told it's all in my head.

I know what I saw (gun cocking)

and I'm gonna kill it.

- I can't let you do this.

- Let me?

Let me.

I don't need your permission.

I haven't done anything illegal.

- This is becoming an obsession.

- No, it's justice.

You won't help?

- I won't help get you killed.

- Then what good are you?

- Please don't do this.

- Good luck on your investigation.

- You gotta find a way to forgive.

- After what he did?

- Then forgive yourself.

- I haven't done anything. - Not yet.

But all this hatred, all this vengeance?

Don't become him.

- Good luck on your investigation.

(Cindy sighing)

(bag zipping)

- [Narrator] When leaving behind

both our fears and our sorrows,

remember, nights get real dark

before brighter tomorrows.

(car sputtering)

(car shutting off)

(Christmas music playing on radio)

- Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.

No, no, no, no, no.

Stop, stop, stop.

(Christmas music continues)

(door opening)

(door closing)

(engine hissing)

(distant rustling)

(rustling)

(dramatic sting)

(The Mean One growling) (Mayor yelling)

(skin tearing)

(Mayor screaming)

(The Mean One growling)

(punch landing)

(metal clattering)

(The Mean One growling)

(Mayor yelling and falling)

(Mayor whimpering)

(Mayor's muffled yelling)

(trunk slamming)

(horn honking repeatedly)

(thudding)

(dramatic sting)

(Christmas music)

(body dragging)

- You can't keep me here, Sheriff. I'm sober.

- You haven't been sober in 20 years.

- 11. 11 years and four days.

- I'm sorry about Martha, Doc,

but you're staying put until Christmas.

- What are you trying to do here, Sheriff?

- Save the town, like always.

- Damn straight.

- No matter the cost.

(dramatic music)

I traced the address on the website.

- I thought that was very deep.

- I'm a trained investigator.

You and the mayor?

- Not at first.

I really thought it was a man.

Drifter that had moved on and it was over.

The next year, the killing started all over again.

Every December, new murders.

People vanishing every single year.

(whistling)

- Stephanie? Stephanie?

Oh, you in here?

(distant crying)

I'm here to help.

(distant crying)

Stephanie?

I'm here. Can, can you hear my voice?

I'm, can you come to me?

(Stephanie whimpering)

Stephanie?

Oh my...

(crunching)

Stephanie?

(dramatic sting)

(Stephanie yelling)

(skin tearing)

- Once I knew what it was, what it really was,

I tried to feed it.

(The Mean One growling)

(sheep baaing)

(crunching)

(The Mean One growling)

The next year, he had the taste

for a different kind of meat.

I couldn't stop it.

- So you made a deal with the devil.

- Not me.

No, once she became mayor, Margie had a plan.

- You went along.

Let all those people up here.

- I took an oath to protect this town.

- People are dying.

- Not my people!

My people are safe!

I did that, me!

20 years, I kept the beast at bay.

How many lives have I saved?

A dozen? A hundred?

I got rid of the Christmas decorations

and the songs and the parties.

Me.

And when the mayor found out that thing needed to be fed,

we did what we had to do.

And the killing stopped.

- Except my Martha.

- Or Cindy's father.

- He hung up lights and tinsel.

May as well have painted a target on his back.

- You lied to her.

You made that poor girl think she'd lost her mind.

And you may have succeeded.

Where are you going?

- Hunting.

- You can't go up there at night.

- I have to, before she does.

- Sh, Sheriff, you gotta go after him.

- Not at night. You can't go there at night.

- You're gonna get that boy killed, Sheriff.

And that's on you.

(suspenseful music)

- They're all on me, Doc.

- Damn you.

- Too late. Way too late.

(dramatic sting)

(distant crashing)

- [Narrator] The danger was rising

as the battle grew nearer,

but who's hunting who was becoming less and less clearer.

(rustling)

(dramatic sting)

- Oh, ow, ow, ow.

- Doc? What are you doing?

- I came to warn you about that boyfriend of yours.

- Boyfriend? Who, Burke?

He's not my boyfriend. Who said he's my boyfriend?

Did he say that?

- Whoever he is, he went into the mountains.

- He what? Why would he do that?

- Why do you think, doof?

- That's so sweet.

- Yeah. Let's just see if he's still sweet tomorrow!

What, wait. Wait!

A little help.

- Oh.

Sorry.

(dramatic music)

- Mr. Mean One.

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

(car driving by)

- He's gonna get himself killed.

Do I wanna be in love with an idiot or a dead guy?

- He's gonna be all right,

as long as he doesn't do anything Christmasy.

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

♪ Something about a sleigh ♪

♪ Oreos don't go ♪

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

♪ Bells on Bobby Bob ♪

♪ And Bobby Bobby Bob ♪

♪ Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel ♪

♪ I made it out of clay ♪

♪ And when it's dry and ready ♪

♪ With dreidel I shall ♪

(distant screeching)

(tires squealing)

(dramatic music)

(footstep crunching)

(dramatic sting)

(footstep crunching)

(Burke yelling)

(bear trap closing)

(Burke yelling)

He set a trap.

Oh shit, he set a trap.

(Burke yelling)

(Burke breathing heavily)

(distant screeching)

(Burke grunting)

(distant screeching)

(Burke grunting)

(Burke breathing heavily)

(dramatic sting)

(Burke yelling)

(gunshots)

(The Mean One growling)

Sir?

- Hey, not much time.

He gets scared, but he'll be back meaner than ever.

(Burke yelling)

Come here, come on.

Watch it. (Burke breathing heavily)

(distant screeching)

Keep moving, you're gonna make it.

- What are you doing?

- I took an oath to protect this town.

You're part of my town, son.

- No, no. Peter!

(dramatic music)

Fuck, ah!

(The Mean One growling)

(Burke grunting)

(dramatic sting)

Cindy!

- [Doc] I gotcha, come on.

- What are you doing here?

- What do you think?

(water dripping)

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ And a happy new ♪

(Sheriff yelling)

(The Mean One screeching)

- Wait, we have to help the sheriff.

- Go, go.

(footsteps crunching)

- Okay, come on, Sheriff.

(Cindy gasping)

(distant growling)

We gotta go.

- It's okay, you can do it.

(Burke grunting)

That is a lot of blood.

- Don't look. - Okay.

- Let's get you inside.

Easy. (Burke grunting and yelling)

(Burke laughing)

- I did this.

This is my fault.

- I'm pretty sure it's not.

He smelled really different.

- [Cindy] Don't joke. - Ow!

- No, all of it.

I did this.

My mom died trying to protect me,

and then I drag my dad here

so I can be just, what, that much happier?

And then I, I get him killed.

- No.

- And I pushed and I pushed the sheriff and now he's gone,

and you...

You...

Everything I touch dies.

- I'm not dead.

- Yet.

- It's Christmas Eve.

This doesn't end tonight.

It starts all over again next year.

- It's gotta be you.

Go get him.

(door shutting)

- Get him to the hospital.

- Yeah, what's your play?

- It's time to roast this beast.

(eerie Christmas music)

(lights buzzing on)

- [Narrator] While the folks down in Newville

were asleep in their beds,

(skin ripping)

the day had arrived for The Mean One

to get dead.

(dramatic sting)

(wind howling)

(dramatic sting)

(dramatic music)

(rustling)

(thudding)

(The Mean One cackling)

(floor creaking)

- Guess who?

(kick landing)

(The Mean One grunting)

(gunshots)

- [Narrator] With a gleam in his eye

and a trigger finger that itched,

(The Mean One screeching)

the hunter proclaimed-

- Merry Christmas, you green bitch.

(The Mean One yelling)

(shotgun racking)

- You're a dead one, Mr.-

(gunshot)

(wind howling)

(dramatic music)

(wind howling)

(gunshot)

(Doc yelling)

(The Mean One growling)

(Doc yelling)

(bones cracking)

(Doc yelling)

(gunshot)

(The Mean One growling)

- [Doc] I'm fine.

- Come on, let's get you to the hospital.

- Get back. You're exposed out here.

- Where is he?

- He's slippery.

Get back to your safe zone.

Stick to the plan!

(footsteps)

I'm fine, just, good, just,

(Doc coughing)

Need to get my second wind, that's all.

(dramatic music)

(electric buzzing)

(electric crackling)

(The Mean One growling)

(gunshots)

(bear trap closing)

(The Mean One yelling)

(gun clicking)

(kick landing)

(electric whirring)

(The Mean One growling)

(Cindy grunting)

(blows landing)

(kick landing)

(blows landing)

(Cindy grunting)

(blows landing)

(The Mean One growling)

(Cindy grunting)

(blow landing)

(footsteps crunching)

(explosion)

(alarm beeping)

(The Mean One growling)

(Cindy yelling and falling)

(punch landing)

(punch landing)

(punch landing)

(distorted music beginning)

(The Mean One yelling)

(loud music)

- Yahoo doray, motherfucker!

(The Mean One yelling and grunting)

(spark sizzling)

(explosion)

(The Mean One growling)

(fire crackling)

(The Mean One grunting)

(Cindy grunting)

(Cindy yelling)

(The Mean One breathing heavily)

- You, you kept it?

All this time?

Why, Santa Claus? Why?

(The Mean One sighing)

(soft music)

What happened to you?

(dramatic music)

- [Young Cindy] Mommy, no!

- Cindy, get back! He's a monster!

(dramatic music)

- Monster!

(The Mean One screeching)

(somber music)

- I forgive you.

(The Mean One gasping)

(cracking)

What?

(The Mean One gasping)

(The Mean One yelling)

(explosion)

(fire crackling)

- [Narrator] We know that his heart

grew three sizes that day.

Justice is poetic when it happens that way.

- And now for our top story this evening,

Mean One mania is sweeping the nation.

After this image went viral

from the small town of Newville.

- And did you see this photo?

This looks like it's gonna be my best friend.

- Newville is on fire.

- My phone has been blowing up.

- I don't know about this Newville monster video, y'all.

- Dressed as Santa Claus?

- Some people are saying it's a hoax, Christmas stunt.

- Is it real? Is it fake?

- [Man] Like some Bigfoot in the snow?

- I mean, it looked like a monster to me.

Who else saw The Mean One? Say yeah.

- [Group] Yeah!

- This is another government conspiracy

to distract us so they can raise our taxes.

- Now I'm from the country, y'all.

I have no problem going out in the woods

to try and find this guy.

- I wanna go check it out for myself.

- Head out into those mountains. Get me your photos.

- Stick with me, I'm gonna have updates for you

because I'm going to Newville, y'all.

- Move over Bigfoot, there's a new monster in town.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] With the danger behind them,

the town found new life.

People found joy in both tinsel and lights.

It came with boxes and ribbons and toys

with tinsel and garland and new yuletide joys.

For the town filled with tourists

carrying cameras and guns

as folks hiked the mountains

in search of The Mean One.

The beast had been slain and some wrongs became right

because Christmas returned almost overnight.

(Cindy laughing)

- Not too shabby. - Oh!

- I guess you brought some Christmas cheer

to this sleepy, little town.

(upbeat music)

(Christmas music)

Ah!

- Be my guest. (Cindy laughing)

Smooth, huh?

- Hey, a little festive cheer for you.

- Yahoo, whatever. (Cindy and Burke laughing)

- So, gotta get back to the station, Sheriff?

People are really coming here to hike.

- People like a good scare.

- People are weird.

Do they even believe in him?

- It's Christmas, people believe in all sorts of stuff.

But it's good business for the town.

Guess we get a brighter tomorrow after all.

- Because of a monster.

- Ah, they'll never find him.

- Feds took everything?

- Body, photos, every last shred of evidence.

- So people will never know what happened here.

- Nope.

- Did they tell you anything?

- Cause of death.

Heart exploded.

- Not a very happy ending.

- Yeah, but I bet there's a parallel universe somewhere

where this story's a lot more fun.

- Wish we were in that one.

- High hopes for happily ever after in this one?

- Yeah? - Yeah.

Merry Christmas. - Happy Hanukkah.

- [Both] Yahoo doray.

(whimsical music)

- [Narrator] And so ends our story with holiday cheer

and they all lived happily ever after.

Well, at least 'til next year.

(The Mean One screeching)

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ And all is bright ♪

♪ Round yon virgin ♪

♪ Mother and child ♪

♪ Holy infant so tender and mild ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪

♪ All is calm, calm ♪

♪ And all is bright ♪

♪ Round yon virgin mother and child, mother and child ♪

♪ Holy infant, so tender and mild ♪

♪ Tender and mild ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪

- Hi everyone, Merry Christmas!

My box of assorted Christmas decorations just arrived.

Got a little delayed, but I can't wait to see what's inside.

Come check check it out with me.

(box opening)

(woman screaming)

(intense Christmas music)