The Hunter squealed when the spike struck it a glancing blow on the shoulder before sticking in the ice. It lost its grip and fell. Its claws shot out to reclaim a purchase on the scalloped ice. Trails of ice sprayed out from the creature’s slide down the wall, leaving behind deep-clawed gouges. It slowed and stopped. It turned to look at the group and snarled.
Jane hurled her ice axe.
Though her aim was true, the creature had moved before the axe struck. It bounced off the wall and clanged to the ground.
The creature reached the roof, climbed along it and slipped out of the hole. It had escaped.
Richard let out a sigh of relief. “That’s one less nightmare to worry about.”
Jane glared at Richard. “You couldn’t be more wrong. It’s free now. On a planet where it doesn’t belong. If it reaches civilization who knows how many will die at its hands.”
“But we’re hundreds of miles from anywhere and anyone. It won’t be able to survive the cold for long, will it?” said Theo, uncertainly.
A low trembling roar rolled through the ice.
The cavern walls shook. Chunks of ice fell and exploded on contact with the ground. The cavern was becoming unstable.
One large chunk narrowly missed Jack, showering him with ice shards when it crashed to the ground. “We can’t remain here much longer.”
Jane looked at him. “I agree. The cavern could collapse at any moment. We’ll have to return to the ship, find Lucy and then plan our next move.”
“Go back to the spaceship!” said Richard, appalled at the idea after having spent so long escaping from the monsters within. “You can’t be serious.”
The falling chunks of ice increased.
Jane glanced at Richard and smiled. “You can stay here if you want.”
Richard scowled at her. He felt the creature hidden beneath his jacket move.
Two howls rang out. Richard sighed.
Their glance alongside the lake revealed the approach of two more Hunters.
“We can’t let them escape like the last one,” said Jack, defiantly. He snatched up the flaming torch and moved into the tunnel to prevent them from scaling the walls like the last one.
Jane retrieved her thrown ice axe and along with Theo also armed with an axe, they stood beside Jack.
Richard shook his head in dismay, retrieved an axe from the stack of supplies and joined the others.
The monsters advanced.
CHAPTER 17
Base Camp Monster
SCOTT SIPPED HIS STEAMING mug of coffee and stared out the window at the raging blizzard caught in the powerful lights positioned around the camp. When another strong gust shook the cabin his thoughts turned to his friends in the rift. “I hope they’re okay.”
Pike, busy reading Ben Hammott’s latest novel, The Lost Inheritance Mystery, a humorous Victorian mystery revolving around the search for a lost inheritance worth millions, dragged his attention from its pages and looked at his anxious friend. “If they’re in the cavern, they’ll be fine.”
Scott noticed something move outside—a shadowy form. His eyes peered at the spot, but detected no other signs of movement. “I think someone’s out there.”
Pike joined him at the window and peered at the storm raging outside. “Are you sure?”
Scott shook his head vaguely. “No, but I’m going out to check.” He placed his cup on the table. “It might be Eli lost in the blizzard.”
“Okay, but don’t go too far, or you might not find your way back.”
Scott staggered and was almost blown off his feet when he exited the hut and stepped into the biting wind. He pulled the door shut and scanned the area, but saw nothing that could be a person. Hunched against the storm, he made his way to the position where he thought he’d seen someone. His eyes scanned the ground for footprints. If there had been any, the wind had wiped them clean. He set off to search the camp’s perimeter.
When he passed the storage sheds he heard a noise that sounded like something banging. A few more steps brought the swinging door into view. He was certain he’d latched it shut. Either the wind had freed it or someone had entered. Believing it might be Eli seeking refuge from the storm, he entered to find out.
The cabin shook and creaked with the wind gusts beating furiously against it, and ice pellets constantly pinged against its metal sides. He switched on the light, casting yellow illumination through the storeroom, and slid the dark goggles onto his brow. His eyes scanned the length of the room, halted on a dark area at the far end and focused on a slightly lighter form amongst the shadows, but it was difficult to tell exactly what it was.
“Is that you, Eli?”
No answer.
Though he sensed something was wrong, he couldn’t pinpoint the reason. When he advanced a few nervous steps, the pale form moved further into the corner until it was out of sight behind some stacked crates. The way it had moved, more like an animal than a human, creeped Scott out.
He moved a few steps closer and thought he heard breathing. He pushed the parka hood over his head. “Is anyone there?”
When he received no reply, he moved closer until he drew level with the end crate.
He couldn’t explain his hesitation or sense of apprehension. There were no large animals in Antarctica, so it could only be one of the group, Jack or his passenger. He forced his nervousness aside and stepped nearer. There was something vague hunched in the shadow-filled corner. He fished a small flashlight from his pocket, switched it on and shone it into the darkness.
What shivered in the corner wasn’t human. Its head turned to look at him. Claws lashed out. Scott staggered back and fell. The terrifying monster climbed upright.
The screeching cry that reverberated throughout the hut brought Scott to his senses. He threw the torch at the nightmare made manifest and rushed from the cabin. He slammed the door shut behind him to trap the monster. The build-up of snow in the entrance prevented it from closing. The pale form emerged from the corner and skulked forebodingly toward him. Scott shoved the door harder. The snow bunched up against the base of the door when it juddered forward. A final forceful shove rammed it into its frame. He slid home the metal latch and backed away. The door shook when the monster slammed into it.
Scott’s gaze fell upon the door catch; it wouldn’t last long against such force. He desperately searched the area for something to block it with, but there was nothing. Everything had been stowed away before the storm hit. His eyes rested on the garage door and pictured what lay within. He rushed over to the garage, pulled the doors open and climbed into the remaining Sno-Cat. He turned the key. The engine turned, but didn’t catch. The second attempt brought it to life; it roared. The headlights sent two light arcs across the camp. They roamed across the buildings when Scott drove out of the garage. Hundreds of individual pieces of snow and ice flashed through the light beams before disappearing into the surrounding gloom. Scott steered the vehicle over to the storeroom and edged closer until the front jammed tight against the door. Whatever that thing was, it was now trapped.
“You’ve gone crazy man,” Pike replied when Scott told him about the creature. “There ain’t any monsters here or anywhere.”
Scott pointed out of the window. “Then why did I block the storeroom door with the Sno-Cat?”
Pike saw the hazy red shape of the vehicle through the driving snow. “Because your concern for the team out on the ice has made you stir crazy. You’re seeing things. It’s the only rational explanation.”
Scott looked at his friend. “Come on Pike, you know me. Do you really think I’ve suddenly gone mad?”