The Ice People #OpenNovellaContest

0735 Hours

"I'm sorry, did you say Ice People?" Pete asked. "Ice People? You have got to be kidding me." I glanced at Christine who just gave me a puzzled look in return.

"I'm not lying!" Captain Jackson exclaimed. He straightened up from his slouched position and suddenly, he didn't look like the timid man we had first met. He looked like the Captain of the HMS Nelson. "I know what I saw...I know what I fought."

"Okay, let's just say we believe you-" Pete started but I cut him off, moving to stand in front of him.

"What my colleague is trying to say," I said, glaring a Pete, "Is that we'll need some evidence first before we can figure out the best way to help you." The Captain nodded,  again deflated.

"Yes, of course," he said, his voice going flat. "Please, follow me." I sighed with relief.

"Thank you, Captain," I said. "Please, lead on." Captain Jackson lead us from the bridge and down into the main body of the Nelson. As we slipped down the narrow corridors, the lights flickered and the ship creaked and groaned like an injured animal. We went past thirty inch steel doors that had been ripped off their hinges and crippled like they were made of paper.

"An ice-burg did that?" Christine whispered to me, her eyes wide as she gestured to the lump of metal. I shook my head. It couldn't have done; there was no damage to the hull.

Captain Jackson turned his head to look at us. "No ice-burg did that, Miss...?" he said.

"Christine Morgan," she replied.

"Mathew Mayhew. And this is Pete Brown," I introduced myself and Pete. The Captain nodded and then was silent.

We travelled down deeper into the belly of the Nelson and Captain Jackson opened a hatch, climbing down the ladder into the brig. I waited for Christine and Pete to clamber down first before I went after them. As soon as my feet landed on cold metal, the lights snapped off and we were plunged into darkness.

"Captain Jackson?" I called out. He didn't answer. My heart was hammering and the blood roared in my ears. I could hear my harsh breathing and the sound of the waves under the boat, whispering to the Nelson and lulling the groaning metal into a deep sleep. "Christine? Pete?"

"Over here, Matt." I heard Christine about ten metres in front of me. The lights flickered back on again and I spotted them ahead of me. As I approached, I could finally see what they were all staring at.

The crew, or what was left of it, were huddled together on the floor. Many were injured and were wrapped in bandages. Those who were not, were shuffling about like zombies, passing out food and water rations as well as performing first aid. The very air in the room was thick and heavy with fear and nervousness; everyone was swimming in it.

"This was the best we could do," the Captain murmured. "Our ship doctor was taken, and so basic First Aid training is all we have to rely on."

"Oh my God," I whispered. "How-How did this happen?" Captain Jackson looked up at me.

"It's like I said, Mr Mayhew," he muttered. "The Ice People boarded the ship. We had no warning; they came in the dead of night. They-they had swords made from ice that cut through everything...people, metal, guns...just everything. We tried to fight them but they had the strength of ten men..."

He hesitated, taking a shaky breath. Bringing a handkerchief from his pocket, he dabbed his forehead which was glistening with sweat. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room frantically, as if searching for something.

"I've never seen anything like it," he whispered. "They were just...unstoppable."

"And the rest of the crew?" Christine asked, keeping her voice low. "You said they took them. Do you know where?" The Captain shook his head.