Snow Storm Bringeth – Part 2

Link to Part 1

Karl was trembling as he pushed Marcie further in the hall and eventually arriving at the old back kitchen.

“What’s wrong Karl? What’s going on?”

He looked back towards the door. Philip was standing near the range, head stooped slightly, trying not to be noticed.

“I saw someone out there, more than one,” responded Karl.

Marcie put her arm around Karl, “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? It’s snowing, you did see that, it’s snowing and it’s June, what do you mean what’s wrong?”

Philip started to laugh.

“Shut-up you moron!” snapped Marcie.

Karl recoiled at the sharp retort.

“Sorry, it’s just everything seems a bit strained, yes?”

“I saw four people at he end of the driveway, there’s something really strange going on here,” Karl murmured.

“Go see to your brother,” Marcie gestured to Philip.

As Philip left the kitchen, Karl slowly followed. He walked down the hallway and placed his hands on the front door. There wasn’t a sound, nothing. As he moved the narrow net curtain from the side of the door he could see the snow still falling, even heavier. He strained to see if there was any movement, but slowly let the curtain fall back.

“What are you looking for?” Marcie asked.

“I’m telling you, there were four people at the end of the driveway as we came in, something really strange going on, I don’t understand it. What’s with your brothers? I think we need to get out of here.”

“And go where? You’ve seen the conditions.”

Karl stood thinking. Suddenly he saw a flash in the hall mirror and then it was gone. He quickly spun around and pushed the curtain aside.

“There’s a car out there, look, it’s stopped,” he said.

“Leave it, we don’t know who they are,” responded Marcie.

“What? They could be in trouble, like you. I’m going out.”

“You’re crazy, leave them, it’s too dangerous,” she grabbed him.

Karl stood staring at Marcie. Her eyes looked wild and there was almost a rage flashing across her face. He pushed her away and flung the door open. He could see the lights of the car just outside the gate and slowly made his way down the driveway. The snow was so thick now he had to lift his legs high when taking each step. Finally he reached the car.

He could see there was a woman in the driver’s seat and she was turned facing the back seat where Karl noticed there were two children.

“Christ,” he whispered, and tapped the door.

The young woman spun around suddenly and saw Karl at the window.

“Open up, come on, you’ll have to come into the house,” Karl shouted.

Once her shock had passed she nodded and pushed the door open. Karl moved to the back door and opened it.

“Come on kids, out you come!” he chirped.

“Go on,” called the woman.

The young boy and girl scrambled out.

“What’s going on?” the woman asked

“I don’t know. Look can you carry one and I’ll carry the other, the driveway’s getting difficult to pass.”

“Sure, come on Cathy, over here, Robbie you let this man carry you.”

“Karl! My name is Karl”

“Oh, I’m Jill, thanks for the help.”

“No problem, let’s go.”

As they both carried a child and slowly moved into the driveway suddenly there was a large sharp shriek.

Karl looked around, and Jill stood still.

“What was that?” asked Jill.

“Sounded like a cat?” said Karl.

“It sounded a lot bigger than a cat.”

“Come on, quick let’s get inside.”

They moved off slowly along the driveway. They were nearly at the door when they heard what sounded like flapping sounds above them, moving back and forth.

They looked up but couldn’t see anything.

“Does the cat fly?” asked Jill.

“I think anything can happen tonight!”

Finally they reached the door and Marcie opened it. She slammed it behind them and all four leaped a bit. Karl let Robbie down.

“Marcie this is Jill, Cathy and Robbie.”

“Hello, what had you out on a night like this?” Marcie responded curtly.

“I don’t understand what’s going on. I was collecting Cathy and Robbie from a birthday party. Theres a big crash on the main road and I thought if I came this way I could get around it,” replied Jill.

“I’m not surprised there are accidents in this,” said Karl.

“What do you mean? This is crazy, there was no snow, the accident was a truck that jack-knifed.  There’s no snow a hundred yards back the road.”

Karl looked at her wondering had she been drinking.

“What do you mean no snow. Look outside, it’s been snowing heavily for ages, there has to be snow on the main road.”

“There’s nothing until you get around that corner and then we were straight into it just before your house.”

Karl looked back towards the driveway.

“I think we have to get out of here. If you’re saying there’s no snow down the road, then we should be able to reach the jeep. The jeep? Where is it. It wasn’t where you left it Marcie.”

“Look we’re staying put, it’s too dangerous to go out there, we’ll just have to wait.”

“For what? The four weirdos I saw earlier, or the wild flying cats that ushered us up the driveway?” Karl snapped.

“Mammy?” came the small worried voice from Cathy.

“Oh don’t worry baby, we’ll be fine,” Jill looked at Karl.

“Sorry.”

There was a roar from the upstairs bedroom and then Philip came out suddenly.

“I think he needs you Marcie.”

Marcie pointed to the front room.

“Put them in there, stay with them, I’ll deal with this,” she ordered Karl.

With a puzzled look Karl gestured the new visitors into the room.

“I hope you don’t mind me saying but she’s not very welcoming,” said Jill.

“She’s not herself, she’s not normally like this.”

Suddenly Cathy let out a high-pitched scream.

“What, what is it?”

“There’s a man at the window,” she said as she pointed.

They all looked suddenly but saw no-one.

Karl watched little Cathy, she was shaking, and he knew, the child had seen something.

*********  Link to Part 3 ********

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