The Boy In The Ice

The Boy in the Ice

July 15, 2009
We have been trying to climb this mountain for the longest time. The weather has finally let up enough that we can move to the next campsite. I'm starting to wonder about the rumors that the locals told us before we started our ascent on the mountain. They say that these hills have an ancient curse upon them. I believe that it is just an old wives tale. The next trek is dangerous, I pray we all make it.

The scientist closes his small leather bound notebook, and puts it in his pack. He joins his companions outside, all wearing bright orange parkas. They all tie rope around themselves and then to each other. The sun gleams off the fresh fallen snow, making it difficult to see.

The four of them start their slow climb to the next plateau. The thick white powder makes the ascent even slower. Not long after they start the wind begins to pick back up. “LOOK OUT!!!” Boris yells, his broad Russian body pulling the rest of the line against the snowy side. As the ice shelf over their previous encampment slides off the mountain side. “Only one way to go,” Maria says with a chuckle. She leads the group around a tight, thin path, then stops. “What are you stopping for, you fool?” Schmidt says with anger.

The small gentleman in the rear unfolds a map. “What are you looking at?” Schmidt asks, turning around. “We have to cross the ice bridge!” Eli yells over the strong wind. The massive bridge made of ice lays before them. “Remind me again. Why are we here?!” Boris yells over the howling wind. “Discovery, my dear Boris,” Eli says with a smile, as he takes the lead. They slowly make their way across the icy road ahead of them.

The bridge was carved out of rocks from the mountain itself. It would seem as if a giant would be living on the other side of it. It seemed to go on forever, and the further they tread, the more dangerous the path became. After what had seemed like an eternity, they make it to the other sided. A large icy tunnel now yawns before them. They untie themselves to set up camp.

Eli walks over to the edge of the tunnel and runs his gloved hand along the wall. He follows the large arc of it up to the high ceiling. His eyes grow wide as he sees the large icicle hanging from the roof. His eyes follow them down to where his companions are setting up their camp. He runs over to them. “What is it? Another fascinating rock or something dumb like that?” Maria ask as she gets ready to pound the stakes for her tent into to the ground.

“You should really take a look above you before you start pounding that stake,” Eli says backing up. She sighs as she reluctantly looks up. “Well.. That would be a good reason to move,” she says shaking her head.

The others had their tents set and have already went to bed. Eli puts up his little tent next to the cave wall. He heats up some water for a cup of coffee. He opens his little note book and begins to write. 'I wonder if he really is here. The locals call him “The Boy in the Ice”. We talked to everyone in the town, but on one would say weather they had seen him or not. Most say that people who venture up here, never come back. I think most of it is just folk lore. Who's to say they are wrong.' He finishes his coffee and heads to bed. “Maybe tomorrow, we might make it there,” he says to himself.



The Icy Fortress

They wake with a stir as the ground begins to shake. The glittering ice crystals above them begin to chime in the dark. “MOVE!!!” Boris yells. They grab what they can and start running as the glittering crystals fall from the ceiling. The further they move into the tunnel, the smaller it becomes. “I see a light!” Maria yells, quickening her pace. They all reach the end of the tunnel only to find the exit blocked with a thick wall of ice.

“Now what do we do?” Schmidt asks, beginning to become afraid. Eli lights a flare and starts looking around. Maria screams as she sees frozen mummies lining the walls. “Oh, pipe down. They have been dead for some time,” Schmidt says walking behind Eli. “It appears that they died during a battle,” Eli says as he picks up a small hand ax. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Maria yells at Eli. “We need to break through the ice. They won't be needing them anymore anyway,” he says with a smile.

Eli starts hacking away at the ice wall. “There is only one way to go, and that's forward,” he says as each swing sinks a little deeper. After only a few swings he begins to show signs of fatigue. Boris grabs the ax and starts to hack violently at the chipping ice wall. The wall beings to crumble under his tremendous blows. With a final heaving swing of the ax, they are finally though the ice. But what dangers lie ahead?

As the ice falls from the hole, the four of them step though in awe. A castle of mammoth proportions stands in the frozen mountain. Carved out of the rock itself, the castle looms over the entrance with an icy gloom. They slowly walk towards the gate. The frozen wrought iron gate looks as if it was made for a giant. As they progress forward Eli notices the gate slightly open, but not far enough the get through. “Help me open this!” Eli says, almost in a panic.

All four start pulling on the large ice covered door. It seems to take an eternity, but they eventually get the door open far enough to get in. Schmidt grabs Eli by the collar and holds him still for a moment. “What has gotten into you? We can't just go rushing into a place like this!” he yells at the small gentleman standing in front of him. Eli looks up with a glint in his eye, the small scientist smiles at the larger man. “I have come too far for caution to detour me from my goal,” he says with a devilish smile.

The other three scientist take a step back from his, frightened at his change in personality. “We move forward,” he says as he turns around and starts walking toward the center of the castle. “We should be getting close to him. Be on your toes and keep an eye out for anything strange,” Eli says as he walks away.

The other three whisper amongst themselves as Eli leads them up the stairs to the main hall. A cold wind seems to take the breath out of their lungs as they see the wooden door standing open. Eli falls to one knee, the others come to see if he is ok. “A life time I have searched for him, and he is really here,” he says though ragged breathes. The others slowly ascend the stairs to see the ice pillar that encased the throne. The clear ice shows the body of a young boy, not much older than 7 or 8. Eli walks up and runs his hand across the ice.

“I finally made it.... son” he says with a smile.