Officer Matthew Klein's December began with chaos, arresting his best friend's son,

Zach, for a violent attack at a local cafe, then discovering a mysterious Advent calendar

on his doorstep with no sender and no explanation.

The antique wooden relic arrived wrapped in festive paper, its 24 doors concealing

unknown surprises, and a carved, bearded face with hollow eyes watching from its center.

Behind the first door was a miniature replica of Matt's childhood home, a house that burst

into flames in his palm, just as the real one had burned 30 years ago. That night, a house that burst into flames in his palm, just as the real one had

burned 30 years ago. That night, a damaged child's voice whispered through the darkness,

Uncle David, can you hear us? The second door revealed a red cardinal feather. Matt

dismissed it as harmless, until he witnessed Pastor Hart's minivan crash,

caused by a cardinal smashing through the windshield. His best friend Simon revealed that Zach

had been visited by a strange young boy who smelled of campfire smoke, who had convinced him to

attack the cafe. That night, when Matt tried to open the third door early, a shadowy child appeared in

his living room with a chilling warning,

One day at a time, follow the rules or the consequences will be dire.

The third door held a crystal star.

Throughout the day, stars appeared everywhere, on the

main State Troopers' crest, on a Jay Walker's street address, atop the nativity scene

in Matt's home. When Matt checked the star again, its five points were dipped in blood.

Hours later, Bridget Carr, the city planner, and Matt's former Academy friend, lay dead

beneath the 30-foot Christmas tree, the giant decorative star embedded in her skull.

Behind the fourth door, Matt found a black and white police mugshot, his Uncle David, known

...