"Please, you have to help me," Jared barked out his plea. "I don't want to be a dog."
"Not all that you thought it would be, eh?" Saint Nicholas asked him.
Jared knew it wasn't all bad, but now wasn't the time to sidetrack himself. "Just change me back, please."
The bearded man worried the stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth. He took it out of his mouth, and then exhaled, as he looked down at the sheepdog.
The smoke it encircled his head like a wreath as Jared waited for a response.
"It would mean tangling with that Egyptian shyster," Saint Nicholas said and shook his head.
Jared tried again. "Please, put me back in my original form," Jared begged.
The Krampus scurried closer. "Listen to the lad," the being coaxed.
Saint Nicholas shook his head and a fat finger toward the Krampus. "He won't be yours, my twisted friend."
Was the elf considering? Jared whimpered again.
"Very well," Saint Nicholas said and waved his hand.
Jared felt himself change.
"You take care of him," Saint Nicholas said. "I have my schedule to keep."
A naked Jared crouched, back in human form. But his body continued to change.
"Thank you...aughh..." He felt his body telescope down.
"He is not yours," Saint Nicholas repeated. "Innocent as he is now."
The Krampus frowned and let its long tongue dart out. "You're such a stickler, old man."
"Don't I know it," Saint Nicholas said. He chuckled. "The lad did ask for his original form."
The Krampus refused to acknowledge the joke.
As Jared felt his body dwindle, losing hair and muscle, he heard Saint Nicholas exclaim, "Happy Christmas to you. Happy Christmas to all."
Jared tried to yell to prevent the departure, but only pushed babble from his mouth.
"And to all a good night."
Moments later, Jared heard the sound of sleigh bells and hooves growing more and more distant.
And then he found himself looking up at a disgruntled Krampus.
"What happened?" Jared cooed. "What am I?"
The Krampus picked up the rosy-cheeked babe as if it was a toxic bundle. "You asked for your original form, bad boy," he explained. "In his usual sense of humor, Saint Nicholas granted you your wish."
"I'll get you yet," the demon swore and cradled the naked babe against him. "You may be innocent now, but you don't have the knack for it in the long term."
An absurd stream of babbled syllables came from Jared's mouth. He couldn't believe it. He was a baby. He couldn't talk. Or walk. Or speak. He couldn't even sit up or turn over.
"Stop your fussing," the Krampus said. "I'll take care of everything."
He conjured a diaper that was soon wrapped about Jared's infant form.
"And now what do I do with you?" The being's eyes glowed red, causing the baby boy to whimper.