Pip Mantlemourne – Prelude 1

Pip stared at the creature before her. Ten feet tall, but abnormally thin for its size. The thing was covered in a chitinous armor that sprouted sharp, ice-like, spikes. The creature’s head was almost featureless, except for two tiny sharp, glowing blue eyes. Its lower jaw descended into a gaping dark mouth, ringed with icy teeth. There was no neck, as i’s bottom jaw was fixed into its mid torso.

The thing stood in the center of her parents bedroom. The chamber was covered in ice, floor walls, and ceiling, slick with frozen moisture. Like glass, every surface reflected the light of the lantern Pip held in her trembling hand.

“Dad?” she heard herself say. She expected no answer. Her father’s body was held aloft on the creature’s long, thin claws; pierced through his chest. Dead eyes coated in a layer of ice. At the creature’s feet. Heer mothers headless body sat frozen, in a pose of defense. Severed arm outstretched as if fending off an attack.

The creature stared at Pip, and purred.

Pip turned and ran. She ran down the hall toward her sister’s room. If she could get there, she could save the young girl. She ran hard but she could hear the creature follow. The doors to her parents’ chamber splintered outward behind her. Heavy footfalls trailed after her. 

She ran into Reya’s room and slammed the door behind her. Her sister, still in bed but eyes open screamed as the doors behind Pip were shattered and the nightmare creature came through. Pip grabbed Reya and held her close. The creature approached. Each step a muffled thud on the carpeted floor. From under each foot, ice spread, freezing everything in its path. Wooden furniture squealed under the ice onslaught. Tapestries, paintings, and blankets froze as the creature approached. 

Pip turned to open the curtain on the close window. She could let in the light from the companion. The holy light would surely banish the creature. Pip’s hand grasped ice. The thick balck curtain that was meant to darken the room during the night, meant to block the holy light of the companion from disturbing sleep, was frozen solid. It was like a stone wall that blocked the window.

The creature reached out towards the two girls, with a clawed hand.

A bright light shone from behind the creature. The thing screamed. A figure walked into the room with hand held high. It was her uncle. In his hand he held the holy symbol of Torm, held high. His voice echoed with booming power. With a shriek the creature folded in on itself and was gone.

Uncle Devarius swept Pip and Reya up into his arms. “I’m so sorry, children. I couldn’t get here in time. I tried! Torm knows I tried!”