Krampus Plot, part IV

[lady_bols]

 She crawled out of the tent on her hands and knees, gritting her teeth.  The ground was hard packed dirt, and the air smelled clean and fresh. It was dark, and they were under a brilliant desert night sky.

"Oh, Ichabod.  Look."

Comments

[lady_bols]

Alex falls back from the door, pressing herself flat against the wall.

"Ichabod..."

[1stwitness]

"Yes", he says grimly, standing his ground. "But if we can't get out, it can't get in. I hope."

[anti_kringle]

The rattle comes closer, as does the uneven gait of the monster.

Pad, clack. Pad, clack. Pad, clack.

[lady_bols]

Alex falls back again, one hand unconsciously covering her throat.

"Yes, but the chains," she hisses. "Get back from the door, please."

[1stwitness]

"I have a shotgun", he points out, but backs away from the door anyway, just a few feet while never taking his eyes off the outside.

[lady_bols]

"Wait do you hear that?"

She leans a bit closer.

"Is that -- sleigh bells?"

[1stwitness]

"...I do believe it is." He approaches the door again, peering through the bars. "How odd."

[lady_bols]

She joins him, watching the scene unfold.

"Father Christmas?"

She can't do much more than watch, gobsmacked.

[1stwitness]

Ichabod blinks at this scene in confusion.

"...well, he was reputedly a saint, originally..."

[lady_bols]

"Father Christmas, is a demon fighter?"

[1stwitness]

"Not that I've ever heard, but... apparently so. And rather good at it, too."

[lady_bols]

Alex turns away as Kringle goes sprawling on the ice, leaning on Ichabod's shoulder.

"I can't watch. Tell me what's happening."

[1stwitness]

"...apparently our demon can summon fire", Ichabod says, watching. "But... wait. He has just broken one of the chains with a staff."

[lady_bols]

Alex peeks over his shoulder, just in time to watch Krampus go sprawling in the snow.

"Yes! Get him! Wait, is he stuffing him in a sack?"

[1stwitness]

Ichabod laughs, almost a cheer.

"Yes, I think he is. Poetic justice."

[lady_bols]

Alex laughs, too, forgetting her ribs for the moment.

The door clangs in the frame, and something releases, letting the gate swing open.

"Oh thank heavens."

[Cont'd here.]