Frost

- Two -

        Someone certainly knew how to be dramatic. Claire wasn't sure what to make of the stranger, but after seeing all the odd creatures scatter into the shadows she wasn't sure she wanted to hang around. Following the stranger down the hall, she stopped suddenly.

       The nutcracker, she had to get the nutcracker.

       "Wait," she demanded, wheeling around and darting back towards the bedroom. The young man cursed under his breath and she heard his heavy footsteps as he followed after her. The nutcracker was still lying abandoned in the middle of the room when she entered. Claire couldn't explain it, but a nagging thought in the back of her mind just wouldn't allow her to leave it behind.

       Claire reached the nutcracker about the same time the stranger reached her. He grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her out of the room just as she picked up the wooden toy.

       "I can't believe you are risking your life over that thing," he growled. Claire didn't fight him as he pulled her towards the door of the room.

       "Maybe if you explain what's going on-"

       "No time," he interrupted. They were nearly to the door when he stopped and pushed her behind him. "This is just great. I hope that damn thing is worth dying for."

       "What were those things? Why are they so dangerous? They looked like... weird rats."

       "They're evil, that's what they are," the young man replied distractedly. "Now can you please be quiet." He seemed to be watching for something, waiting maybe, but for what Claire had no idea. She wanted to ask, but she doubted she'd get a straight answer anyway. Instead, Claire hugged the nutcracker tightly against her and waited for something to happen.

       "They're waiting for us, in the hall," he whispered. He held his hand out in front of him and muttered something under his breath. He swiped his hand to the left and downward and Claire felt a ripple of warm air sweep past her.

       Claire looked towards the darkness and imagined those beady black eyes watching her. She suppressed a shudder. "Why? I don't understand."

       "For some reason they want that damn toy," he replied, gritting his teeth in annoyance. "It must be what attracted them in the first place. Where did you get that thing anyway?"

       "M-my godfather gave it to me, as a gift, he told me to take care of it," Claire replied. She looked down at the nutcracker which starred back up at her with its faded eyes.

      "He always was reckless," the young man grumbled.

       "You know my godfather?"

       "That's not important right now," the young man declared. "They're getting impatient and it won't be long before they decide to come in and take what they want. The barrier will only keep them out for so long. My magic here is weak."

       Barrier? Magic?

       What the hell was going on?

       "Wait, what?"

       "We'll never make it to the roof," he continued, ignoring Claire's growing confusion, too distracted, or perhaps unconcerned, to try to explain. "We will have to jump from here." Moving away from Claire, the young man approached the french doors the creatures had been attempting to open earlier.

       "Jump?" Claire asked in disbelief. "Are you crazy?"

       Instead of answering her, the young man lifted the latch and the wind caused the doors to fly open. Behind her Claire could hear the angry hum of the creatures who seemed unable to pass the threshold into the room. It seemed to grow louder with each passing moment. The young man stepped out onto the balcony and leaned over the railing.