[ IP ] Wrong Turn

Marcus gasped as he opened the door, both from the pain and the sudden shock of the cold. He lurched against the opening, only to realize that he was still trapped by his seatbelt. Reaching down a bloodied hand, he unclasped it and pushed himself away from the airbag, twisting himself to slip past the mangled mess that had once been his door. It was only a stupid patch of ice. He had been driving along the embankment when he had felt his tires slip out beneath him, and the car had jolted off the road and slid down the side of the embankment and into these dark woods. 
 
 Still leaning heavily on the door he managed to brace himself upright and survey the damage, which was dimly lit by the headlights shining on the bright white snow. The low noise of the engine assured him that the car was still in running condition, despite how badly the left side might be torn up. That whole side was an utter mess, the doors and sidings badly scratched and dented, with the windows cracked as well. Everything seemed to be in working order except for.....oh god Alexandra, where was Alexandra. He limped over to the right side of the vehicle, the cold snow pushing up against his calves, turning red where his injured arm dripped blood, and used his good arm to open the passenger door. A small face peeked out at him over the top of a red jacket. `` Daddy? Daddy I'm scared. It's cold.'' Oh god she was okay, she was n't injured, she could speak. 
 
 `` Shhh. Shhhh.'' he tried to soothe her `` It's alright baby girl. We'll be okay now. Come on girl. Let's get you out of this seat.'' 
 
 He fumbled with the combination of straps and buckles, his cold fingers unable to perform with any coordination, but eventually he somehow undid the mechanisms and lifted her out. He tried to hold her but he felt his injured arm start to give out and he set her down gently in the snow. 
 
 `` Alright baby. Let's go get some help okay? We'll be warm soon, do n't worry.'' 
 
 Alexandra gripped his leg tight, sniffling with fear and worry, until Marcus bent down to grab her hand. There was a fence just ahead, and a no trespassing sign. There had to be some civilization here, and surely even the stingiest of misers would n't turn away an injured man and his daughter. 
 
 `` Okay baby, you lead Daddy alright? We're on a little adventure together. A little adventure in the snow.'' he felt his legs weaken and urged her `` go on, it's okay.'' 
 
 Alexandra gave a shaky smile and took a few tentative steps closer to the front of the car. Once she started walking she seemed to find the fun in it, and despite her fear she could n't resist the allure of snow that every small child feels. She moved a little faster, enjoying the feel of the falling snow on her face, almost smiling. 
 
 `` We'll be alright honey, you'll see'' assured Marcus. 
 
 That's when he fell. A slippery section on the side of a small slope was all it took for him to crash to his knees, buried up to his thighs in the cold substance. Alexandra's momentum carried her forward into the beam of the headlights, where she stopped and turned around curiously. `` Daddy?'' she questioned. 
 
 Marcus was struggling to right himself in the snow, and looked up at Alexandra. `` Yeah baby Daddy's okay'' he reassured her `` I'll be alright I just...'' He stopped when he saw the shadows looming behind her, with bright pinprick eyes. It could be anything in these woods. What was it? A mountain lion? A bear? The shape resolved itself into something bipedal. Oh thank god. Another person. 
 
 `` Hey!'' he shouted `` Hey, over here! We need help!'' He saw the people turn towards him except... they were too large, their limbs too long. The single pair of eyes was joined by three more, and suddenly Marcus knew something was n't right. 
 
 `` Baby'' he called out to Alexandra `` Baby come back to Daddy.'' 
 
 Except Alexandra was staring entranced. She could n't tear her eyes away from the behemoths drifting through the woods towards them. As they approached a warmth slowly overcame her, and she felt as if a comforting presence was wrapped around her, a parent's arms or a favorite blanket. She heard her father's voice, but it was faint, and it seemed as though it was coming from far away saying `` Hey do n't you come any nearer! You get away from my daughter! Alexandra come back here!'' 
 
 Marcus watched as a shadowy leg stepped over the fence, and the creature bent down to pick up Alexandra. Despite the snow entrapping his legs, warmth was seeping through his body, and he felt suddenly very tired. The last thing he saw was the shadow carrying his daughter off into the woods.
