Jules and Sasha awoke to the sound of crashing and clanging coming from downstairs.

They rushed out of bed and ran down the stairs and were shocked at what they found.

The Christmas tree had been tipped over.

Ornaments were scattered everywhere in worst of all, the incredible magical snowflake,

dove and star they had found on their tree earlier that week had all been taken.

Just as the boys were about to panic wondering who could have done such a thing,

they noticed tiny footprints in the fallen pine needles near the tree. The tiny tracks led in a trail

toward the closet at the end of the hall. You know, the same closet where the star ornament

had shined its beam of light

and showed them the hidden hallway? Jules and Sasha dashed to the closet and swung the door

open, revealing the secret passageway behind the false back wall that the star had led them to

yesterday. They grabbed their flashlights and Jules and Sasha exchange determined

nods before taking their first steps into the dark tunnel. But you know what? As each of them

stuck their feet out to step into the tunnel, they quickly found out this wasn't a tunnel

at all. It was a slide! Jules and Sasha both tumbled forward and

they slid head first down the slide as it curved right and then it curved left and then it

suddenly tilted downward and sent them flying straight down. The kids were flying down

the slide so fast. It felt like they were going faster than

a speeding car down a highway.

And then they suddenly felt the slide curve sharply upwards as it turned into a jump.

And it sent both boys flying off the end as they soared through the air. But it was so dark, they couldn't see hardly anything.

They didn't know when or where they were going to land.

...