The shout came too late, as Hannah and Lewis both crashed into the snow. The two rolled down the side of the snow-covered hill, slowing to a stop almost at the bottom of the hill. Lewis was above her, on hands on knees, his crystal blue eyes glaring into hers. Both of them were panting heavily, neither breaking gaze with the other. Hannah could hear muffled shouts from above, not being able to distinguish what the words were being said, but she guessed they were shouting her name. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears, blood rushing around her head. She felt like she was waiting for her inevitable death. But...as she watched her lover...he didn't act. He just stayed above her. Why?
"If you're going to kill me, make it quick." Lewis' eyes widened, and then changed to a look of confusion. "If my boyfriend has to be the one to kill me...the real him wouldn't want me to suffer." Hannah stared almost emotionally into the crystal eyes. She wanted it to end. Whether it ended in her death or his, she was broken inside. Lewis slowly moved so he was on his knees, still watching Hannah.
"...I...can't." He whispered, the words almost being lost in the wind. "I just can't. Something...is stopping me." He looked at his frozen hands. "What...am I?" Lewis' vision began to blur as his eyes filled with tears. "What...what are these...?" He wiped his eyes, letting Hannah sit up.
"They are tears. Only humans possess them." She replied. "That is what you are. Human. Specifically my boyfriend. I won't let some snow bitch take you away from me." She wrapped her arms tightly around Lewis, not wanting to ever let him go again. Hannah closed her eyes, wanting this moment to last forever. But, all good things come to an end.
A sharp pain caused Hannah to gasp. Her stomach began to freeze the instant the icicle was stabbed in.
"...I am NOT human." These were the last words Hannah heard, as another icicle was forced through her throat, ending her swiftly. The frozen man stood up, letting the dead body fall clumsily onto the floor by his feet. Soon, just as before, the white snow became red. "But...you wanted it to be quick. I did as you wished. That is the only wish I will do for a human...b-because it is you."
The others were at the top of the hill, unable to see what had happened. "What do we do? Do we leave them? Do we go after them?" Sjin asked, becoming very nervous. He was known to be a little skittish when he didn't know or understand what was going on.
"...We should leave them." Kim turned to Duncan, seeing the dark look in his eyes. "I doubt Lewis would spare her." She put her hands over her mouth to stop the protests from escaping, tears forming in her eyes. How could Duncan say that? Hannah was their friend, IS their friend. Could he easily drop her like that? She glanced around at the others, who all seemed to have the same idea. Soon they were on the move again, with Duncan putting his arm around Kim. "...I'm sorry Kim. I know you and Hannah were really close. But...you saw him. He was not the Lewis we knew. Even with Hannah...I doubt he had any emotions." He whispered. Kim shrugged his arm away, walking slightly faster. She knew he meant well, but she still couldn't believe these guys. Is this what it took to leave your friends? A crazy snow demon and a possessed man? After what seemed like hours of walking, Trott perked up, finally awake.
"Hey, I see something!" He pointed in the distance. There was the outline of a village, THE village they were looking for.
"I see it too." Alex nodded. "That looks like where we need to go." He glanced back at the group, being the acting leader. "Let's hurry. From the legend Kim said, apparently she only comes to those who are lost. So, if we're not lost, we'll be fine!" He explained.
"How comforting." Ross muttered, which earned him a glare from Smith. They group continued to press forwards, the outline becoming less faint and more detail being visible from this distance. Smith suddenly stopped everyone, as whistling was heard all around them. They all went back to back, looking around the area.
"You guys are so cute." The Yuki-onna walked out in front of them, the whistling apparently not coming from her. Though a small giggle did escape from her blue lips. "I never thought this would be so much fun. At first I just wanted to kill him, but now...he's proved valuable." Duncan suddenly clicked his fingers.
"That tune! I recognise it! I swear I heard Hannah usually whistling it to Lewis." Everyone glanced at Duncan. "It used to calm him down. You know, on his really rough days? Even if he was about to explode, it would calm him in an instant." He explained. When he had stopped talking, there was clapping from behind them as the whistling ceased.
"Oh clever Duncan. You always did pay attention, didn't you?" There he stood. The frozen man, their former friend. "Though...it's a shame you have to die here." He sighed. "The scientist. What good does your science do you now, faced with this?" He asked.
"Lewis, that's enough!" Kim shouted, startling the others. "This isn't you. Just be your normal self again, and then we can go home. There's been enough bloodshed already." She whispered. Lewis listened to Kim, before laughing.
"Such an emotional speech, Kim. Maybe I should write that down." He moved close to her, towering over the smaller female. Duncan instantly put his arm in front of her, protecting her from Lewis. Lewis stepped back, holding his hands out. "Alright, alright. I won't kill her. I almost thought I couldn't kill her. But...I guess stabbing my 'girlfriend' proved that wrong, right?!" He laughed again.
"You bastard." The sudden words came from Simon. "You killed her...how dare you kill her!" He glared at Lewis, noticing a look of shock on his 'friend's face. "Thought you killed me, you dumbass? You missed the vital areas. Left me with a big ass pain in my chest, but at least I'm alive." Sjin and Turps helped Simon stand, listening in silence as the others were. "Hannah...she had chosen someone so perfect. You two were so good together. And now look what's happen. A snow bitch has come and changed you into a monster." Simon growled. "I'm going to fucking kill you, even if you WERE my best friend. You are not that anymore!" He shoved the two men away from him, stumbling over to Lewis. He grabbed him by his collar, glaring into his crystal eyes. The Yuki-onna watched curiously, wondering how her new pawn would act. She hadn't actually told him to do anything since telling him to 'go fetch'. This is what he became WITHOUT her. What could he be with her?
"...Kill me then." The two men had their gazes locked, neither breaking eye contact with the other. Lewis leaned in close before he spoke again. "Kill me, and I'll take you with me." He murmured, moving back to look into Simon's eyes. "Then we can be happy, with...H-Hannah." He added, glancing down at his hands. The Yuki-onna began to frown. Why did he not kill him? Why was he waiting? Was he toying with him? Is this how he kills? Toying with emotions before the final strike?
"I knew you were in there somewhere." Simon smiled slightly. Lewis nodded, his glance moving from his hands to the Yuki-onna, as did Simon's and the rest of the group. "Shall we take care of this snow bitch, buddy?" Simon smirked. The Yuki-onna stepped back, her eyes narrowed at the two.
"Tch...Touch me and I'll kill all of you." She muttered. "I can kill him in an instant, and he knows that full well." She pointed at Lewis, who flinched slightly. "So...your choice. Kill me, and he goes down with me. Or give up, and your deaths will be quick." Simon glanced at Lewis, wondering what exactly she meant.
"Can she...really kill you?" He asked. Lewis sighed before he nodded. "Damn..." Simon looked at the ground. "...I don't want you to die, Lewis." He whispered. He felt a hand, a frozen one at that, on his shoulder. Simon glanced up, seeing his friend's eyes slightly how they used to be.
"I know." Lewis then walked over to his 'master', their eyes locking for a moment before he knelt on one knee in front of her. "..." He didn't speak to her, feeling a sharp pain across his face. Behind was left a trail of ice, which burnt and hurt like fire. Kim turned away, her face buried in Duncan's chest. First Simon, then Hannah and now Lewis...why are all of her friends being hurt and killed? The place became silence, apart from the wind gently blowing around them. The snow began to fall heavier, settling on the ground around them. Everyone apart from the Yuki-onna and Lewis began to shiver slightly from the cold. The Yuki-onna tilted Lewis' head back roughly, making him look up at her.
"...I had high hopes for you, and you betray me." She whispered. "I thought you would be better." She knelt down in front of him. "I guess even prodigies can fail." Lewis felt his head begin to burn, closing his eyes in pain. "Look at me!" His eyes shot open, hearing the shout. His eyes were watering, blurring his vision. The tears soon became ice, freezing under his eyes.
"F-Fucking...shut up!" He replied in a shout, grabbing hold of the Yuki-onna. She tried to get away, but his hold was firm. Lewis glanced at Simon and the rest for a moment, before the two beings vanished.
"Lewis!" Simon shouted, falling on his knees. "No! You can't do this! Come back!" He cried, slamming his fist into the ground. "Damn it, why?! Why must he die?! Why must he and Hannah both be dead?!" He shouted, his voice echoing all around them. Sjin knelt beside Simon, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
"...We should go home." He whispered. "We'll be safe once we're back in the village." He helped Simon stand, and Turps instantly got on the other side to help him walk. The walk was in silence. No talking. No interruptions. Just the wind and crunching of snow under their feet. Kim's sobbing was muffled in Duncan's chest, her hands clenched around his arms. Even Smith couldn't hide the tear he shed. Trott hugged him gently – now it was his time to be the stronger one.
Though, who could be strong after what had happened?