The Ice Prince

Chapter 1

There was a pounding sensation in my head as my eyes opened up. Along with that, an alarm was sounding in my mind, screaming out danger. My eyes would barely focus on anything, but I had to move. A groan escaped my lips as I struggled to sit up. I remembered a fight, and I was weak, but I wouldn't let myself be beaten. However, before I could make much progress, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped, facing in the direction of whatever had a hold of me.

"Shh, shh, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you, I'm trying to help you," my blurry vision focused, and I saw a girl there, maybe a little older than I was. Her facial features were soft, reassuring... I felt myself relax a bit, knowing she was no threat. "My name is Bonnibel. You're safe now; that monster's gone."

That's when I remembered exactly what I was fighting before. That monster she spoke of. I cringed, remembering clutching onto my dog, Jake, as he mutated into that very beast.

"That thing really banged you up... You might wanna stay lying down, sweetie..." the girl continued.

I slowly lay back down, and realized that I ached almost EVERYWHERE. I brushed a stray strand of my blonde hair out of my face. Then I remembered something important that I needed and I couldn't feel it on my head...

"The crown!" I managed to choke out. "Where's my crown!?"

"Oh, that? I just put it over here," the girl reached beside her and handed it to me. I immediately placed it on my head, back where it belonged. I let out a sigh of relief.

"What do you need that for anyway?" Bonnibel asked.

I didn't respond. She wouldn't understand... I didn't even know her...

When she realized I wouldn't be answering that question, she asked a different one. "What's your name?"

I swallowed, searching my brain until I finally recalled the answer. "F-Finn.... Finn Mertens..."

"Well, Finn, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad you're okay," Bonnibel smiled.

Because of the crown's protection, I felt some strength returning, so I sat up with ease. "And you're name is... Bonnibel?"

She nodded. "You can call me Bonnie, though, if that's a mouth full..."

I gave a small nod to show I understood. "How long have I been out?"

"Oh, not long... Maybe an hour."

My eyes widened. "That's too long... What's the status on the bomb?"

Bonnie's expression changed to a more sad look. "Everyone.... Everyone is gone... The bomb drove everyone away. No living thing for miles. I got separated from my family, and then I found you, so I decided to stay and help you. We're the only living things in this area."

Despair filled me. "What!? Oh man, this is all my fault!"

Bonnie put a hand on my shoulder. "How is this all your fault Finn?" she asked softly.

"I-I... I made the bomb go off... it's my fault..." I whispered.

"Oh, Finn, I'm sure you didn't mean for all this to happen. You seem pure of heart. Don't hold it against yourself," Bonnie smiled once more. Her smile was beautiful.... I then vaguely recalled seeing that smile before. I must've seen her around town before the bomb and all this madness.

That's when I noticed something a little bit off... Her hair was abnormally pink.

She noticed me staring and started fingering her hair, self-consciously. "It's just.... dye..."

"Hair dye? That's crazy expensive..."

"Uhh, yeah..." she fell silent. She didn't press on about my crown before, so I didn't press any farther on this matter.

"You know... We shouldn't stay in the same place for too long.... That, uh, monster could find us again," I changed the subject for her.

"Yes, you are absolutely right!" she was happy to change it. "Can you walk alright...?"

I gently placed my crown in my green backpack and heaved myself to my feet, a little shaky. Bonnie was immediately by my side, helping to steady me.

I muttered a thanks, and we started off walking, side by side.

The trees around us grew scarcer and scarcer the farther we progressed. Soon, we were walking in a large clearing. The land was bare and rocky. It was devoid of all signs of life.

"What kind of bomb would do this?" Bonnie's whisper broke the complete silence of the land.

I didn't have an answer for her. I saw what the bomb looked like before and after it went off, but I had no idea what kind it was or the power it had. I saw that it had oozed green liquid. I'm not sure if it was acid or not, but it melted an old lady into bones and mutated my dog Jake into a monster.

"Uhh, Finn? Do you hear that?" Bonnie took my hand. I could feel how tense her hand was.

I stopped and listened. After a minute, I could hear something. It sounded like groaning and stomping. We were not alone.

"Where is that coming from?" I could hear the fear in Bonnie's voice.

I began to walk again, much faster than before, and saw that the land fell and scooped down into a ravine. I peered down at the bottom and was utterly disgusted by what I saw. Blood, bones, and many other body parts were in a heap next to a zombie-like creature. He was having quite the feast. Bonnie was about to look down beside me, but I stopped her. She looked at me with a confused face, but I shook my head and put a finger to my lips. I took her hand and backed away from the ravine's edge with her.

"Finn, what--?"

"Mutation..." That's all I needed to say.

"Oh..."

"We better get out of here," I turned to leave, and I found myself face to face with a different zombie-like creature. I froze. His blood-shot eyes hungrily stared me down.

I heard Bonnie gasp and saw another zombie next to her out of the corner of my eye.

She had saved my life earlier, and now I wanted to return the favor. "Bonnie.... Run. NOW." I commanded, as I smacked the zombie upside the head with my right arm, my bionic arm. As that zombie fell, I turned to see Bonnie running, but that other zombie was giving chase.

"Faster!!" I screamed after her. I saw her disappear into a small area of bushes and trees. The zombie stopped to look around, apparently too dumb to know where she went. I took the crown out of my backpack and put it on. Long strands of my blonde hair swaying out of my hat flapped and I rose in the air. I threw my arms up, summoning dark clouds and brought them back down, causing ice shaped like lightning bolts to fall and spear right through the zombie creature. I landed and fell to my knees, clutching my head. The whispers were back. Dainty and biting at the same time, like falling snow. Power... It promised power.... It promised sanctuary...

Despite everything, I let out a chuckle.... and I barely recognized my own laugh.