Link to Part 3
Jill looked at Karl, “It’s in the house now? What’s it?”
Karl looked at Cathy, “What Cathy saw.”
Jill gripped Cathy and Robbie tighter.
“Listen to me, I’ll handle this, don’t worry,” said Karl as he placed his hand on Robbie’s shoulder.
“I don’t know any of you, I don’t understand why we are here, I just want to go home,” pleaded Jill.
“You will, please, trust me. Stay here.”
Karl left the kitchen and slowly approached the stairway. He could hear movement upstairs but no talking. He lowered the shotgun so it was by his side and under his right shoulder, and slowly started to walk up the stairs. When he reached the second return, he could feel the cold air blowing through the broken window and saw the glass scattered across the floor. He hesitated, looked back downstairs at the front door, and then turned back to the door he knew Mark was behind.
Once he reached the landing he stopped and waited, listening, but there was no sound. He moved to the door and reached forward gripping the small brass handle. He pushed the door open. He could only make out the shape of the bed and slowly stepped in. As he moved further into the room he noticed the outline of someone sitting in the corner and could see puffs of breath in the icy air.
“Marcie? Philip? is that you.”
Slowly the figure stood up and Karl realised it was way too tall to be either. A low growl started and gradually grew higher and louder until it reached a screeching sound and the figure lunged at Karl. He saw the featureless face suddenly open into a tooth filled chasm. He swung the shot-gun up and pulled the trigger. The creature was thrown back toward the corner and Karl pulled the trigger a second time aiming at the head. There was only silence after and the slumped bloodied body remained motionless.
Karl quickly reloaded the shot-gun. Suddenly there was a bang on the bedroom window and Karl spun around. One of the creatures was gripping the outer wall staring at him. He quickly fired through the window and it shrieked as it fell to the ground. There was a moaning sound from the bed and Karl reached over. The sheet was covering Mark’s face so he slowly pulled it back. Karl was puzzled. Mark now had a full head of hair and his face was covered with a white web like material. He could just make out the outline of his nose and mouth.
“Karl??” shouted Marcie from downstairs.
Karl turned and ran to the stairs. Marcie was on the way up.
“Karl? What’s going on!” she was shouting.
As she reached the top of the stairs Karl raised the gun and she stopped.
“I heard shooting, what’s happened?” she said calmly.
“I killed two of those creatures, my question to you is what’s going on? You know what this is about.”
Marcie stood still.
“Karl, everything is ok, once Mark is better it’ll all be fine.”
“Not good enough, I’m leaving here and taking Jill and the kids with me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, remember there are still two more of them out there,” she replied with a sneer.
“A while ago you said there was nothing out there. What are they and why are they here?”
“They’re here to look after Mark, that’s all, he’s changing.”
“Yes I noticed, changing into what?”
“You’ll see, it’s nearly over.”
“Down the stairs Marcie, I’m not waiting around here, come on, move,” Karl gestured her with the gun.
She turned and he followed her down. They walked to the kitchen.
“Right Jill we’re going,” said Karl.
“Look out!!” screamed Jill.
Suddenly Karl was thrown forward into the kitchen as Philip struck him across the back with a small shovel. He dived to the floor and Philip raised the shovel again. Jill screamed and the children joined in.
“Shut-up!” shouted Marcie.
As Philip went to hit Karl again, he turned on his side and fired the shot-gun again. It hit Philip in the shoulder and neck and he fell back out the door with a groan.
There were gasps of shock from all in the kitchen and then suddenly, and with incredible speed, Marcie lunged for Karl. He quickly swung the shot-gun, hitting it across her face and she fell to the ground with a moan. She lay motionless and he pulled himself up.
“Come on,” he signaled to the others.
As they walked out of the kitchen towards the hall, they heard steps on the stairs and they stopped. They could see the a man coming down.
“Mark?” asked Karl.
The person continued down the stairs and stopped at the bottom facing the door. Karl opened the gun and dropped two more shells in. Slowly the man started to turn, still saying nothing.
Jill gasped as he turned and faced them.
They all stood still as they looked at him.
“What the hell,” started Karl.
“Hello Karl, like looking in a mirror isn’t it!” said the man softly.
“You look the same as me, Mark?”
“Not Mark anymore Karl, I’m you.”
Karl raised the gun. “Out of my way Mark, we’re leaving.”
“We can’t let you do that now,” said Marcie from behind.
“Watch me,” replied Karl as he pulled the trigger and saw his own likeness fall to the ground.
“Down!” he shouted as he spun around.
Jill and the kids dived to the floor and Karl fired at Marcie. She fell back against the wall and slid to the ground, her eyes still staring at him.
“You think we’re the only ones?” she whispered and her head fell to one side.
Outside they could hear more screeching and flapping.
“Come on,” Karl said and he opened the door.
They stepped outside and looked around. All the snow was gone. Karl put the last two cartridges into the rifle and they walked out into the driveway.
“Look,” whispered Jill as she pointed to the two figures standing to one side of the driveway.
“Just keep going,” said Karl, “I don’t think we’re any use to them now.”
As they walked down the driveway, the two creatures turned and walked into the house. They heard loud roars and suddenly an enormous bang. The house burst into flames and the others started to run on down the driveway. When they reached Jill’s car they all jumped in.
Jill turned to Karl, “I don’t want to talk about this ever again, I just want to go home.”
Karl nodded and started the car, but he kept hearing Marcie’s words, ”You think we’re the only ones?”
********** Conclusion ************
[...] « Snow Storm Bringeth – Part 2 Snow Storm Bringeth – Part 4 [...]