Son Of A Glutton

Ava's breath came fast and ragged, her back scraping against the cracked corridor wall as the Frostborn barreled toward her. Every step sent vibrations through the floor, frost spiderwebbing across the tiles beneath its weight. She clutched the cymbals tightly, heart hammering in her chest as the creature's hollow gaze locked onto her.

"Move, Ava—MOVE!" Liam's voice cut through the haze of panic, sharp and urgent.

But her legs felt rooted. The Frostborn's frost blade gleamed as it swung back, shards of ice cascading from its jagged edge. Each step brought it closer, faster—too fast for something so massive.

Then, a flash of movement—Liam sprinted past her, his eyes locked on the creature's legs. He dropped low mid-stride, scooping up one of the fallen cymbals without slowing down.

"Hey! Frostbite—over here!"

He kicked off the ground with a burst of momentum, right leg swinging forward in a practiced motion. His foot connected with the cymbal's edge, sending it spinning through the air like a metal discus.

CLANG!

The cymbal struck the Frostborn's back ankle joint with a metallic crunch. Cracks webbed through the ice-like armor around its joint as the creature stumbled forward, balance wavering. Its roar shook the walls, raw and guttural.

"Yes!" Liam shouted. Without thinking, he glanced at Ava over his shoulder. "Ava—do it again! Hit it again!"

Snapping out of her daze, she lunged to the side and slammed the other cymbal against the wall with all her strength. The metallic clash echoed through the corridor like a war drum.

CLANG!

The Frostborn's head twisted toward her, ice shards falling from its maw as it snarled.

"I got its attention!" she yelled. "Go for the ankle again—just do it fast!"

"I'm trying!" Liam dashed behind the creature, its towering form casting a long shadow over him as he dove for the fallen cymbal. His fingers closed around the cold metal just as the Frostborn pivoted, its frost blade gouging a jagged line across the tiles. Liam rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the ice-shard spray as he scrambled back to his feet.

"Come on—come on—" His muscles tensed as he lined up another shot. The Frostborn shifted, anticipation glinting in its hollow gaze.

"Liam—now!"

He kicked the cymbal hard, driving it like a football straight at the damaged ankle joint.

CLANG—CRACK!

This time, the ice armor fractured with a sharp, splintering sound, sending shards clattering to the floor. The Frostborn staggered, its balance faltering as its foot skidded against the frost-slick tiles. Its roar reverberated through the corridor like a collapsing avalanche, so loud it vibrated in Ava's chest.

"It worked!" she gasped.

"Don't celebrate yet—" Liam's warning was cut short as the Frostborn's gaze snapped toward him, eyes burning with renewed fury. The air around it grew colder, frost creeping across the floor in jagged patterns as its rage manifested.

"Get back—MOVE!" Ava shouted as the Frostborn lunged at Liam, its frost blade slashing through the air. He dove sideways, landing hard against a row of overturned desks as ice shards exploded where he'd stood.

Ava clashed the cymbals again, desperate to divert its attention.

CLANG!

But this time, the Frostborn ignored her.

"It's not falling for it anymore!" she called, heart slamming against her ribs.

"No kidding!" Liam rolled to his feet, eyes scanning the corridor as the creature advanced, each step rattling the frost-covered lockers lining the walls. His gaze flicked to Ava, locking onto hers for a beat longer than necessary.

Trust me.

The unspoken message passed between them like an electric current.

"Try to loop around—keep it moving toward the railing!" Ava called, adrenaline burning through her veins as she dodged another swipe from the Frostborn's blade. She swung the cymbal like a shield as shards of ice clattered against its metal surface.

Liam didn't answer. He just nodded and broke into a sprint. His boots pounded the frost-slick floor as he darted past the creature's left side, forcing it to pivot with a guttural growl. Its damaged ankle made the movement slower, clumsier—but its blade still swung with deadly speed, carving through the air just inches behind him.

"Come on, you ugly icicle—just a little closer—" Liam muttered under his breath as he angled his path toward the broken railing. His breath fogged the air as he ran, lungs burning from the cold. He could feel the Frostborn's presence looming just behind him—too close, too fast—

"Liam, NOW!" Ava's voice snapped him into action.

He kicked off the floor, twisting mid-air as he spun to face the creature. Without hesitation, he hurled the cymbal directly at its face.

CLANG!

The Frostborn flinched, hollow eyes flashing white as the cymbal rebounded off its skull. The distraction bought Liam a precious second as he dove to the side, rolling beneath a fallen bookshelf and springing back to his feet.

Ava darted past the creature's right side, slamming her cymbal against the lockers to keep its focus split. The metallic echo mixed with the Frostborn's ragged breaths, creating a cacophony of sound as it swung wildly at both of them, its fury boiling over into reckless attacks.

The corridor walls splintered beneath its frost blade, lockers and desks reduced to twisted wreckage in its wake. Each step left cracks spider webbing across the tiles as frost spread outward in jagged patterns.

"Keep moving—just a little more—" Liam shouted, boots sliding on the frost-slick floor as he sprinted toward the broken railing.

Ava followed close behind, heart hammering in her chest as she clanged her cymbal against the wall one last time. The Frostborn charged after her with a deafening roar, ice shards flying from its maw as it closed the distance with terrifying speed.

And then—

It paused.

The creature's hollow eyes burned with fury as frost spread beneath its feet, the air growing colder with every breath. Ice began to crystallize along the walls, freezing the shattered lockers and cracked floor tiles as if the corridor itself were succumbing to its rage.

Its gaze flicked between Ava and Liam as if weighing its options—assessing, calculating. The air vibrated with the low hum of frost forming beneath its skin, the ice blade fused to its right arm gleaming with lethal intent.

Liam and Ava stood their ground, muscles coiled as adrenaline thrummed through their veins. The railing loomed just behind them—damaged, jagged, and their only chance of survival.

The Frostborn shifted its weight forward.

Then it charged.

Ava barely had time to leap aside before the creature's frost blade cleaved through the air where she'd stood. The impact shattered a row of lockers behind her, jagged shards of metal and ice scattering across the corridor. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she hit the ground, rolling to her feet with the cymbal still clutched in one hand.

Liam dashed in from the side, snatching up a broken chair leg as he sprinted past the wreckage. His pulse thundered in his ears as he circled behind the Frostborn, eyes locked on its damaged ankle. The creature pivoted toward him, frost shards falling from its jagged maw as its breath misted the air in icy plumes.

"Come on—just a little closer—" Liam muttered through gritted teeth, tightening his grip on the chair leg.

The Frostborn lunged, frost blade slashing downward with lethal speed. Liam ducked low, skidding across the frost-slick tiles as the blade sliced through the air above his head. Rolling to his feet, he drove forward with all his strength, ramming the chair leg into the creature's ankle joint.

CRACK!

The wood splintered on impact, but the force drove the Frostborn's leg sideways into the jagged remains of the iron railing. Metal groaned as the creature's limb twisted between the bent bars, locking it in place with a sharp, metallic screech.

"It's stuck!" Liam shouted, chest heaving as he stumbled back, sweat freezing against his skin in the icy air.

"Then we finish this—now!" Ava darted forward, her pulse hammering in her throat as she gripped the iron bar tightly. Raising it high, she smashed the Frostborn's knee with all her strength.

CLANG—CRACK!

The creature roared, the sound reverberating through the corridor like an avalanche. Ice shards shattered from its joints, frost spraying across the floor as it thrashed against the railing.

Liam snatched up the fallen cymbal, his breath ragged and muscles screaming from exertion. He lined up his shot and kicked with everything he had.

CLANG—SNAP!

The cymbal struck the Frostborn's damaged ankle with a sickening crunch, the sound of ice and bone fracturing beneath the force. The creature stumbled, its balance failing as cracks splintered through its armor.

"Now—together!" Liam shouted.

Ava nodded, determination burning in her eyes as she braced herself beside him. Without hesitation, they both charged forward—Liam ramming his shoulder into the creature's torso like a linebacker, Ava slamming the iron bar against its chest with all her strength.

The Frostborn teetered backward, its hollow gaze flashing white as it let out a final, deafening roar. Ice shards fractured from its limbs as it toppled past the broken railing—

—and vanished into the darkness below.

THUD!

The impact shook the entire floor beneath their feet. Dust and frost cascaded from the cracked ceiling as the vibrations rippled through the walls, rattling lockers and shattering glass. Metal groaned as the Frostborn's massive body scraped against the walls and support beams during its fall, leaving deep gouges in the structure before it disappeared into the abyss below.

Then—silence.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The only sound was their ragged breathing and the faint crackle of frost spreading along the walls.

But the silence didn't last.

A deep, resonant hum echoed through the air—low and guttural, vibrating through the floor beneath their feet. Then came the distant screeches—sharp and shrill, layered over a chorus of eerie, inhuman howls rising from the depths of the school.

Ava and Liam froze, eyes locking as the distant sounds reverberated through the corridor. The Frostborn's fall had stirred something below—something that was now awake.

"…What the hell was that?" Liam asked, voice hoarse from exertion.

Ava swallowed hard, her breath fogging in the frigid air. "I don't know," she admitted. "But it's not good."

They stood there, listening as the sounds slowly faded into the distance—like echoes of something massive moving deeper into the school's hidden depths. The air remained thick with tension, the frost-covered corridor now eerily quiet.

Finally, Liam exhaled a shaky breath, shoulders sagging with exhaustion. "Well… we're still standing. So that's a win, right?"

A faint, breathless laugh escaped Ava despite herself. She leaned back against the wall, legs trembling from adrenaline and fatigue. The iron bar slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor as she pressed a hand against her racing heart.

Liam dropped to his knees beside her, resting his hands on his thighs as he caught his breath. Sweat dampened his hair, steam rising from his skin in the cold air. For a moment, neither of them spoke—just breathing, just existing in the aftermath of what they'd survived.

"…You were pretty good back there," Liam said after a pause, his voice softer now. "Quick thinking with the cymbals and all."

Ava glanced at him, her chest still rising and falling with shallow breaths. "And you didn't miss a single kick," she replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Guess all that football practice actually paid off."

Liam chuckled, running a hand through his damp hair. "Yeah… Guess so." His gaze lingered on her a moment longer, the tension between them shifting into something quieter.

Ava looked away, her fingers curling slightly against the cold floor. The adrenaline was fading now, leaving behind the dull ache of bruises and exhaustion—and something else she couldn't quite name. The fear, the chaos, the danger… Yet through it all, Liam had been there. Always moving toward the danger, always pulling her back from the brink.

"…I wasn't sure we'd make it," she admitted quietly, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

"Me neither," Liam replied, his voice equally soft. "But we did."

Their eyes met again, and this time neither of them looked away. The air between them felt different now—heavy with something unspoken. Ava could still feel the warmth of Liam's shoulder from when they'd tackled the Frostborn together, the heat of his breath when he'd knocked her out of the way of its blade.

For a moment, it felt like the space between them wasn't quite so wide anymore.

"…We should get moving," Ava said eventually, pushing herself to her feet with a wince. "The others are waiting."

"Yeah… right." Liam stood as well, stretching his shoulders with a grimace. He paused, glancing at the broken railing and the dark void below. His brow furrowed slightly, but he shook off the thought and turned back to Ava.

"Come on," he said. "Let's get out of here before something else shows up."

Ava nodded, and without thinking, she reached out—fingers brushing his wrist in the briefest of touches. Just a fleeting moment of connection before she pulled her hand away.

Liam blinked, startled—but said nothing. He just gave her a small, tired smile before stepping past her, leading the way down the frost-covered corridor.

Ava watched him for a beat longer, her fingers curling slightly as if remembering the warmth of his skin against hers.

Then she followed him into the cold, broken silence of the school.