The Christmas Devil's Bride (2nd Book Of The Krampus Series)

Let It Hail

"Is this some sort of Snowman Movie?!"

John shouted out loud as he eyed the snowman of himself with slight fear. Samantha looked for hers but couldn't find one.

"Alright, everyone back in the house. Jax, board the doors and cover the windows. John, help your mother in ushering the kids back in the living room and find more candles. The rest of us will find any weapon we can use"

As the family quickly went to their separate chores. Samantha found herself holding Tim's hand as they sat down together. The poor boy was still shaken by the look on each of the snowmen's faces as he stared at Samantha for comfort.

"Are we gonna be alright Sammy?"

Samantha inwardly grimace at the nickname but smiled at the little boy reassuringly "Don't worry Tim, the whole family is in this together" Timothy gave her an adorable smile.

A few hours later with the doors boarded and a few candles lit, the family sat in a circle in the living room with all the weapons they had in the house, mostly consisting of kitchen knives and sharp objects.

This family has no idea that this will not protect them.

"I wanna hear a story"

Tim said from his seat beside Samantha. Helen pondered for a moment before Jax cut in "How about that rumor about a missing girl that disappeared in a snowy Christmas" Samantha froze and her entire form went rigid though none of the family members noticed.

"Some say that the girl's family kidnapped her and disappeared without a trace"

"Others say that she was taken by an evil spirit"

John added with a grin as Timothy snuggled closer to Samantha whose form became rigid to even notice him.

"What kind if spirit?"

Tim asked and John laughed at him "Only the one whose name brings fear into the hearts of children, most especially the worst kind" Tim blinked as he drew closer when John leaned close to him.

"KRAMPUS!"

Lightning flashed as a shadow of the said name grew behind John's back and the candles blew out. Tim screamed and jumped into a startled Samantha. John and Jax laughed out loud at Tim's shivering form.

Samantha glared at him as she held Tim who tried to stop shivering and stop the tears that were threatening to form "John! Jax!" Helen gave Jax and John a chastising look as the boys stopped laughing but they did continue to chortle.

"It's okay Timmy, stuff like that only make kids laugh at other kid's pain"

Samantha coed and gave the two boys responsible a shake of her head. She planned on asking Krampus if he could spare the child in her arms.

***

There was one thing that every demented being underneath Krampus' rein anticipated each year when night falls and the world comes to stop.

It was the thrill of the hunt.

Each year, Krampus would pick out the lucky toys the elves made and test it out to the Naughty People to see who would be the best toy maker of the year.

It was also a way to test each other's skill and on how long they can let fear coil around their pray until they either run and hide or fall slowly to the madness.

As his minions set up for their own games, Krampus watched as his Menschliche Königin (Human Queen) comfort the little one who shakes in fear of the story brought by the oldest of the children.

Something stirred within him that night when the storm brewed and the temperature grew colder and colder, should his Queen ever wish to have young, he would do everything in his power to ensure them as heir to his holiday rein.

Ketkrókur patted him on the side, ending the Christmas Devil's dark fantasy and he had half a mind to use the elf as part of his young's beheaded ornament.

"Es ist Zeitmeister (It is time master)" Behind him, Krampus heard the loud howls and wails of excitement and it didn't help his sudden adrenaline fueled by the hunt and the future image of the young.

***

Samantha jolted when she heard the loud howls and wails outside "Good God Helen! You didn't tell me there were wolves in the vicinity!" Maggie exclaimed as she scooted away from the windows.

"That's ridiculous! There are NO wolves here"

Helen defended with her arms crossed. Samantha bit her lip and lowered her arms to prevent herself from saying anything.

"I don't care if there are wolves out there or not but if we are to celebrate another Christmas, it's never going to be in this house again!" Timothy cowered as the adults argued over what was right and what was wrong.

"Alright enough!" Samantha shouted with a small snarl "We need to get ourselves together and call for help" Harold gave the girl a look "All our phones are cut off" He said and Samantha pondered for a moment "How about we just head to the nearest police station. See if there is anyone there available" Helen looked out of the window.

"I'm not sure if it's a good idea to even go out"

Harold peeked through the window "I think Gerald and I could make it. The station is just a couple blocks from here" Maggie frowned as she looked out. She could have sworn she saw something move.

Gerald and Harold were already wearing their coats and were prepared to step outside "We'll see you all later. Boys, take care of the girls" They left before the others could say otherwise.

"Is it just me or did it just become colder all of a sudden"

***

Gerald and Harold trudged through the snow as they slowly made their way to the police station "Did your weather forecast say anything about this blasted blizzard?" Gerald asked.

"They never said anything about it being this bad!" Harold shouted in the wind. Gerald grumbled underneath his wife's scarf. The wind howled as the two men made their way to the station when Harold suddenly stopped dead on his tracks.

Gerald bumped into him "What's the hold up?" He asked as he looked at Harold who stood frozen in shock. Gerald followed his line of sight and froze up as well not because of the cold, well partly it was because of that.

The bigger part was the hulking shadow of a large entity inside the police station as the lights inside began flickering. As if sensing it was being watched, the creature snapped its eyes to them before the lights went out and its form disappeared in the darkness.

Almost as if the darkness swallowed the creature up.

No sooner did the two men comprehend what had happened, it began to hail and not in the good way.