Ice Rift (17 page)

Richard sighed. Just for once he'd like things to go his way. He snatched a bone at random to use as a weapon from amongst the wide selection on offer and climbed to his feet when the rats rushed into the chamber. Though most ignored him, some gave him a glancing look while they rushed to find a place to hide. One, perhaps having failed to grab a bite to eat earlier, swung in his direction, and with a snarl and bared teeth, it leapt at the new food source.

Richard swung the bone club. The rat squealed and flew across the room. It skull popped when it struck the wall. The scent of blood was too much for some rodents to resist, and they pounced on the bleeding carcass.

Corpseteeth entered, (Richard thought it a fitting name and was certain Theo would agree) its feet crushing bone wherever they landed. Ignoring the rats momentarily, Corpseteeth picked up the giant's head, which seemed not so big in its huge hands, and used its teeth to peel off every scrap of flesh remaining on the rat feasted skull. When the blood staining the skull had been licked clean, the giant gripped it with thick fingers and twisted. The splintered crack of bone echoed around the cavern when the skull parted. The slurp of wet brain sliding from the skull into Corpseteeth's mouth like a large oyster, was as nauseating as it was gruesome. The following smack of contented lips identified the giant's enjoyment of the tasty delicacy.

While Corpseteeth's tongue probed and lapped up every morsel of brain clinging to the skull cavity, Richard grasped his chance to slip away. Noisy slurps accompanied his cautious skulk around the corner. Fearful of making too much noise wading through the water, he utilized the rough rocks littering the edges of the passage as stepping stones, and nearly slipped more than once.

Bone crunched in the bone chamber.

Richard glanced back. Corpseteeth was on the move. Bones were thrown aside in its search for the rats hiding amongst them. Shrieks and squeals of those discovered, soon fell silent when introduced to the giant's mouth and teeth. A couple of vermin, either luckier or of higher intelligence than their brethren, managed to slip past the ravenous monolith and fled along the tunnel. Richard achieved a stance with the club to fight them if needed. It wasn't. The frightened rats barely registered his presence when they fled back to the safety of whatever dark void they had crawled out from. Richard quickly followed.

The room he entered at the end of the tunnel was larger than he'd expected. Though he picked out many dark openings in the gloom ridden walls, both low and high, their appearances were of such a foreboding nature that all failed to entice him to venture inside.

A glimpse back at the bone chamber revealed Corpseteeth's hunt continued. Richard ran the length of the room. He hoped his noisy splashing through the knee-high water didn't attract the attention of the giant. With his disturbance of the stagnant sewer water and whatever squishy substance his feet sank into with every step, a fresh plume of vile stench rose into the air to compete with the already foul odour choking the room and his lungs. When he neared the end of the chamber, he tripped on something hidden beneath the filthy water and just managed to close his mouth before he slipped beneath. He exploded from the surface and climbed to his feet covered in foul sludge that dripped and oozed over his body. After shaking the disgusting lumps from his hands, he used far from clean fingers to scrape the foulness from his face and eyes, and shook his head vigorously to dislodge more. He glanced down at his expensive cold weather gear, now stained in brown sludge. It was ruined. He thought he would need to bathe for a week to be rid of the reek adhered to his skin.

Exhausted, Richard placed hands on his knees and gulped air into his lungs. Something he immediately regretted. He gagged from the stench so foul and thick he could taste it. He spat a few times in an attempt to remove the stink cloying his mouth, but soon realized it was a lost cause. He needed to get out of this subterranean hellhole. He looked over at the arched opening, which had been the reason for his dash across the room. The ground sloped out of the water and levelled off a few yards before the opening. When he switched on his light and shone it into the dark recess, he was dismayed to see a rusty portcullis barring his escape. He peered through the gaps too small for him to squeeze through. A door and the control to open it was tantalizingly out of his reach a short distance from the barrier― more bad news to add to his already large collection. He walked up to it. His frustrated shaking of the portcullis rattled the metal obstruction in its frame and dislodged flakes of rust.

Dismayed, he turned and desperately scanned the room for an exit. He saw nothing except more bad luck. Corpseteeth stepped out of the passage. Its eyeless sockets stared straight at him.

Though Corpseteeth was unable to see what had caused the noise, his acute hearing had heard the rattle of metal that indicated something else was in his domain. Certain whatever form it took it would be edible, he stepped out of the tunnel and approached the new source of food.

When the mass of scarred muscle and bone crushing teeth rushed at him, fear once again gripped Richard. With no escape, he sidled along the portcullis and pressed his shaking body into the corner.

As if sensing the end of the room, Corpseteeth slowed and left trails of slimy stagnant water upon the sloped stone when it stepped from the water and crossed to the portcullis. It placed a hand on the rusty barrier and moved its massive head from side to side in an attempt to sniff out its prey.

Richard stared at the creature's sightless gaze, wondering how he'd pinpointed his position so easily without any vision. He assumed Corpseteeth hunted by smell and sound. He trembled with fright when the large head moved down until it was only inches away from him. Corpseteeth sniffed. Praying the monster couldn't smell fear, because he was certain he reeked of it, Richard held his breath. The beating of his heart sounded so loud he was sure Corpseteeth would hear it and after plucking him up in one of its huge hands he would be stuffed into its mouth and chewed. He was surprised when the head moved away. He glanced down at his stained clothes. The stench that covered him must have acted as camouflage; he smelt like everything else in the room, foul and rank.

When Corpseteeth turned around and focused its remaining senses into the room, the chain hanging from its neck collar swung out and rattled along the portcullis. Richard's sense of self preservation took over. Even before he realized what he was doing, he'd grabbed the end of the chain and secured it around one of the portcullis's lowest bars with a simple knot. His hand dived into his pocket, pulled out the small breath-fresh aerosol, and in a girlish underarm movement, he threw it across the room. Though he regretted its loss, smelling like he did, he doubted any kissing moments were likely to occur in the foreseeable future.

Corpseteeth jerked its head at the sound of the badly thrown distraction splashing into the murky water. Two large strides away from the portcullis yanked the chain taut. He turned to the side, grabbed the chain with a massive hand and tugged. The portcullis shook. The giant pulled again and strained with the effort. The ancient metal groaned and bulged from creature's immense strength.

Richard gazed at the section of bending barrier. The bottom was almost free of the ground. A little more and he'd be able to squeeze underneath.

Corpseteeth gripped the chain with both hands and pulled harder. Metal shrieked when the strong bars succumbed to the increased pressure.

Richard focused on the gap being formed at the bottom.
Just a little more
. The chain began to unravel. His knot tying skills, of which he had none, had failed him.

Corpseteeth had heard and felt the chain freeing its hold on the portcullis and continued straining against the metal leash.

Richard dropped to the floor and head first wiggled through the gap. His jacket snagged on a spike and ripped. Richard froze when Corpseteeth stared straight at him and ceased his tugging on the chain. Though the giant had no idea what had caused the unusual sound, he pounced.

Corpseteeth's lunge informed Richard his statuesque posture had failed. His feet frantically sought a footing on the slippery ground. His arms found leverage on the portcullis and dragged him through. Richard's muck-stained boots disappeared under the gap. Corpseteeth slammed against the metal barrier, showering Richard in rusty flakes. To avoid the groping arm thrust through one of the gaps, Richard pushed himself away until the door halted his progress. Safe from its reach, he caught his breath as the adrenalin coursing through his body subsided.

Scared as he was, Richard realized the monetary potential of his current situation. He climbed to his feet and fished the camera from the stolen backpack. He wiped off the lumps of filth that had seeped into the bag as best as he could and clicked off a few photographs of the huge beast and a couple of the room. They would furnish evidence for the embellished story he would tell of his escape from the giant monster.

Each click of the camera increased Corpseteeth's annoyance. He slammed the portcullis with a fist so hard Richard thought it would be knocked from its frame. Fearful its next blow might actually bring about that very thing, he climbed to his feet and opened the door. With a hesitant rust-grinding screech, the four segments separated and swung back into the walls. With eyes still focused on the blind giant, Richard backed through the opening.

Corpseteeth roared in frustration when the door closed with a resounding metallic clash.

Richard's relief at having yet again escaped a grisly death was abruptly extinguished when he turned and saw the huge monstrous face staring at him.

AS IT WAS CURRENTLY impossible for Theo, Max and Henry to return to the engine room due to the ship's dangerous occupants blocking the only known route, their only option was to risk pushing forward. Even if that meant going through the same door through which the alien had recently made its appearance.

The door slid open.

What seemed to be daylight seeped through the widening crack and bathed the three anxious men in its bright light. They stepped through and discovered the source of the light. It emitted from rows of panels that stretched the full length of the room and lit up a landscape that could only be described as alien. The strange vista stretched out for a distance of at least half a mile and half that wide. A transparent wall surrounded the metal platform they stood on.

Before them, a transparent door led to a metal ramp sloping down to a stone path that stretched to the columned entrance of the huge construction filling the far side of the colossal cavern. The entrance, too far away and shrouded in darkness, revealed no hint of what lay within. The three gloom-ridden portals had seemingly been carved from rough rock and, stretched above the entrance one hundred yards high. The dark grey-toned edifice had the look of a gigantic engine part or generator that grew out of the rock surrounding its base and parts of the cavern floor. The main cylindrical body of the architectural oddity stood atop a base with tall, sloped sides. Thick ribs of the same material reached from the rock base and stretched over the top as if to anchor it to the ground. At the far end of the cylindrical body, a wide neck stretched out into a bone-like construction with the front fixed against the far wall, which they thought might be the outer hull. Two window openings, one in each of the oval globe endings, overlooked the cavern. Other openings of various sizes and shapes set in the sides of the building were filled with an unwelcoming blackness.

The path leading from the platform they occupied to the colossal edifice, passed through one of the tunnels formed in the trunk of a giant tree that grew horizontally across the room. Grasses covered the top and vines hung down its sides. On the far side of the tree, the path crossed a bridge that spanned the wide river surrounding the huge building. A tower rose from the far side of the bridge.

Large, thorny trees standing five yards high, bushes, and tall dark trees that dotted the ground and hills of rock covering this side of the river all had the appearance of being a long time dead. They stood like spooky sentinels.

“To say I'm surprised would be an understatement,” stated Henry.

Theo's eyes swept over the landscape. “Every time we come across something new, I'm constantly amazed how a ship this size could ever be built, let alone move through space.”

“Just think of the advancements humans could achieve if we could learn even a fraction of this ship's technology and method of construction,” said Max.

“Whatever we learn will be to no avail if we can't find a way out,” said Henry.

Theo broke the silence that had fallen as the three men surveyed the astounding view. “So, do we go and investigate that building, or turn back?”

Henry's eyes followed the path to the ominous openings. “Going back isn't an option. Not yet, anyway. If we can't find another route to the engine room that bypasses the cathedral chamber, we'll need weapons to fight off the creatures that dwell there.” He pointed at the alien structure. “In there we might find the very weapons we need.” He opened the door and led them down the path.

They gazed up at the huge tree that had become larger with every step toward it. It wasn't a single tree as it appeared from a distance, but thousands of yard-thick vines entwined together.  Dark gaps between the growths hinted some areas might be hollow. The shuffling sounds and creaks of interior limbs drifted out of the openings, causing them to imagine things moving about inside. They quickly passed beneath and continued along the path.

A few steps later, Max glanced up at the lights. “Is it just me, or is it getting darker?”

Theo had also noticed the fading light and glanced nervously around at the landscape fast being swathed in shadow.

A worried frown creased Henry's brow. “Night is coming.”

Theo looked at him. “I wish you'd said that in a slightly less ominous tone.”

Henry smiled and switched on his flashlight.

Max and Theo did likewise.

Jane, Lucy and Jack rushed along the corridor and paused at the latest door that blocked their progress. Hesitantly, Jane pressed the door control. All were surprised when light flooded through the opening. They entered, crossed to the large panoramic window stretching almost the full width of the wide room, and gazed down at the vista spread out far below.

Jack, worried the Clicker monster was still in pursuit, knew they couldn't linger for long. He tore his surprised gaze away from the amazing landscape, stepped back from the viewing window and cast a look around the room. An opening each side led to two walkways set high above the landscape. Both led to a bridge that reached across the void to connect with the huge structure that dominated the far end of the impossibly large room.

“What is that place?” said Jane, voicing her astonished thoughts at the sight of the strange gargantuan edifice.

“Maybe it's where the crew lives.” Jack pointed to the curved, bone-like structure. “That thing on top might be the control center.” He turned when the door they had entered through automatically closed. He returned his gaze to the alien landscape and pointed to the walkway on the right jutting out from the side of the ship. “That path connects with the building and might lead to the control room. If it does, we might be able to activate all of the doors preventing us from returning to the engine room. If the others have reached this far, I think they'll come to the same conclusion, so perhaps we'll meet up with them inside.”

Jane agreed. “Well, we can't go back, so it's as good plan as any.”

Lucy stared at the strange building at the far side of the alien landscape and wondered what horrors lay inside waiting for them. “I'm now regretting not listening to Henry when he voiced his doubts that entering this alien vessel would be a good idea. We should never have come aboard.”

Jack placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but we're here now and must make sure we survive to tell the tale.” He led them onto the high walkway.

A quarter of the way across, Lucy glanced up at the fading lights. “It's getting darker.”

“Perhaps it's a cycle to reflect the passing of night and day, like in the forest room,” Jane suggested.

“But we only left there a short while ago and the lights had just come on. If those lights are in sync with these, it's a short cycle,” said Lucy.

Before they could ponder the puzzle further, they were distracted by three white lights that appeared below.

Lucy placed her hands on the balustrade and peered at the three figures. “It's Henry, Theo and Max.”

They all stared at the tiny figures on the path below.

Lucy shouted out Henry's name. The three men turned, looked up at them and waved. Henry shouted something, but he was too far way for them to understand.

“Try contacting them with the walkie-talkie,” Jack suggested.

Jane grabbed the device from her pocket and pressed the talk button. “Henry, can you hear me?”

They saw Henry reach into a pocket.

Lucy smiled. “He heard.”

Henry's voice crackled from the walkie-talkie. “I'm so relieved you three are okay. Over.”

“As are we you. We're heading into that giant building. Jack thinks the curved structure on top might be the control room. We might be able to open the doors so we can get off the ship. Over.”

“The control room is our destination also, so we'll meet up inside. Keep a look out for anything to use as a weapon. Over.”

Before Jane could reply, hellish screeches rang out. They looked down. Red eyes appeared at the entrances in the large trunk-formation.

“The darkness summons the night prowlers,” said Jack.

The head of a dark form with bright, glowing eyes appeared at one of the openings and turned its head toward the three intruders that had entered their domain. Its snarl revealed glowing teeth that matched the brightness of its red eyes. It slunk out of the opening and speedily climbed down the side of the tree. Others of its kind crawled out from the many openings to join the first on the ground. All rushed toward the three strangers.

Jane screamed into the walkie-talkie. “Run, Henry. Run!”

The three men ran.

From their high vantage point, the worried onlookers followed their friends sprint for the bridge. The flashlight beams jerked erratically during their hurried flight. They switched on their own lights when the darkness grew in intensity and swept the beams over more creatures skulking from gaps in the tree and those already on the path pursuing the fleeing men. The creatures' bodies were cloaks of wraithlike darkness. It was only their bright eyes and teeth that gave away their positions. It was as if they watched the shadows of invisible monsters rather than actual physical life-forms. When their flashlight beams fell on one it turned them translucent; their skeletons and organs could clearly be seen within. The Wraith creatures moved upright in a hunched-over stance on thin legs jointed in reverse to humans.

When the sound of machinery attracted their attention, Jane, Lucy and Jack dragged their gaze away from the creatures. The nearside of the bridge started to rise.

“That's not good,” said Jack. “I wonder what triggered it.”

“Perhaps it's on a time cycle like the lights, to stop the monsters from getting across,” suggested Jane, “but what worries me more is if Henry, Theo and Max will reach it in time.”

Theo cursed when the bridge started to rise. A glance behind at the horrifying Wraiths highlighted in his flashlight brought forth another curse. He noticed Henry lagging behind and breathing heavily.

Henry noticed Theo's concerned look. “Don't wait for me,” he puffed.

A few long strides and a small leap carried Theo onto the bridge. Max leapt on a few moments later. They turned. Henry was a short distance away and the scary wraithlike creatures were catching up fast. The rising angle of the bridge caused them to lie down and grip the edge to prevent them from sliding to the bottom.

“Hurry, Henry, you can make it,” encouraged Max. “Grab the edge and we'll pull you up.”

Henry looked at the edge of the bridge now level with his chest, and worried if his old, tired body could make the leap. The sounds of the monsters drawing closer spurred him on. The bridge was head height when he reached the edge of the path, causing him to be less confident he could make it. To free both his hands, he threw the flashlight over the lip of the bridge and leapt into the air. His fingers grabbed at the bridge edge, they slipped. Theo and Max each grasped one of his arms.

“We have you, Henry,” said Theo, his voice strained from supporting the old man's weight.

A shriek rang out.

Henry twisted his head. Though most of the Wraiths skidded to a halt and backed away from the river, one leapt with its claws stretched out. “Pull me up!” he screamed.

Theo and Max were not in the best position on the sloping bridge to get the leverage needed to haul Henry to safety quickly. They strained with his weight.

Henry kicked out at the creature, striking a blow to its head. It shrieked and lashed out at him. A claw ripped through his trouser leg. Something leapt from the river, spraying Henry with cold, viscous, briny water. The cold liquid felt like needles pricking his skin. Believing the Wraith's claws had grasped him, Henry screamed and glanced behind. A gaping jaw filled with long jagged teeth and its beckoning throat was all Henry glimpsed of the monster that had burst from the water. He pulled his legs up as the massive jaws closed around the Wraith's chest. Blood sprayed him when the creature was bitten in two. When the river monster dropped back into the water with half of the creature in its jaws, a second river monster shot from the water to claim the half falling through the air. Henry placed a foot on its snout and pushed himself onto the bridge. Caught unawares by Henry's sudden boost, Theo, Max and Henry slid down the bridge, rolled across the ground and lay there panting.