The Marsh Demon by Benjamin Hulme-Cross

Chapter 2
The Storm
    â€œFive years ago,” the Mayor began, “a terrible storm blew across Grimstock on the darkest day of the year – Midwinter.”
    â€œIt’s Midwinter today,” Edgar hissed to Mary.
    â€œThe storm lasted only a few hours, but in that time the town was damaged very badly,” said the Mayor. “Trees fell across roads. Roofs were blown off buildings. Some houses were struck by lightning and caught fire. Ten people died.”

    The Mayor went on, “The worst of the storm hit Wormley Marsh, just outside the town. It was struck by huge bolts of lightning over and over again. That storm is the only thing that could have brought the evil to this town.”
    â€œAnd what evil is that?” asked Mr Blood.
    â€œWell,” the Mayor said, “at first we knew nothing of it. In the year after the storm, we rebuilt the town.
    â€œThe next Midwinter night, many of us came here to the hall. We planned to stay awake through the night. We wanted to think about the people who died in the storm.”

    The Mayor went on. “Outside, the night was quiet. But on the stroke of midnight, something in the air changed. A terrible smell blew through the town from the marsh. A few minutes later we heard screaming.”
    The Mayor stopped and wiped his brow.

    â€œWe all rushed outside to see what had happened. Two children were being carried off by… something. It was… It was a horror from hell.”
    â€œYou will need to be more exact than that,” said Mr Blood.

    â€œYes, of course,” said the Mayor. “The thing that carried the children was some sort of giant. It had arms and legs. It walked like a man. But it was as tall as a house.”
    â€œIt stank of the marsh,” said the Mayor. “Its body seemed to be made of mud. We call it the marsh demon. The children were never seen again.”
    â€œAnd you think this marsh demon will come again?” asked Mr Blood.

    â€œYes sir. It is Midwinter,” said the mayor. “It takes two children at midnight on Midwinter every year. But this year, our children will not die. You will kill the monster, Mr Blood. And if you do not, it will take your helpers, not our children.”

    The mayor looked over Mr Blood’s shoulder and nodded.
    A group of men jumped forward.
    Two men pulled Edgar and Mary from their chairs and dragged them away.
    Mr Blood shouted, “No!”
    But there was nothing he could do to stop them.

Chapter 3
Prison
    Mary and Edgar spent the rest of the day in a cell in the town prison.
    They tried to stay calm, but after several hours Mary began to get angry. She shouted through the bars of their cell. She called the guards monsters, cowards and child-killers.

    But the guards did not reply. Some of them even laughed at her.
    â€œIt’s no good,” said Edgar. “They don’t want to lose more of their children. If anyone gets taken by the marsh demon, they want it to be us.”
    â€œWell, it won’t happen,” said Mary. “Mr Blood will have a plan. He always does.”

    â€œLet’s hope so,” said Edgar. “But where is he?”
    Outside, a bell rang eleven times. It was one hour to midnight.
    Heavy feet thumped towards the cell. A group of guards opened the cell and walked in. Mary spat at one of the men.
    â€œI’m sorry, miss,” he said. “But if we don’t do this, two of our children will die. It’s you or them.”

    The guards tied their hands behind their backs and walked them out into the night.
    As they marched through the town, the streets were empty. No lights shone in windows. Nobody wanted the marsh demon to notice them.
    Mr Blood was waiting for the children at the town hall.
    â€œIf you have hurt them,” Mr Blood snarled at the guards, “I will find a way to set the demon on you.”
    â€œWe’re not hurt,” said Mary. “Just get us away from these