That is what I am talking about!
It started off a little slow, and there are a few tiny gramatical errors, but once we got to the bank robbery we were cooking.
I was thinking to myself, "ok super stength is cool, and invulnerability, but where is the ice?"
Then you brought the Ice out. I actually got more and more hyped as I read that whole bit about the snake, and you did not disappoint.
All this talk of otters though and it turns out Tundy is possessed by the midgard serpent. Who would have thought.
Damn late night prose. I can barely get a paragraph through before my morning coffee. I'll give this a read later today when I'm a touch more coherent. 
@TURGENEV - Freedom Server / IRON / B.A.N.E / HORDE
Turg Fiction: Ghost in the Machine Acts III & IV coming 2012!
Turg Fiction: IX is now LIVE on Architect Entertainment!
Part One
It was a clear fall afternoon Stacey stepped out of the employee entrance of Woodys Pub for the last time. She breathed a sigh of relief at escaping the thick odour of beer, sweaty bodies, and fried food that permeated every pore of the place. Even after a month Stacey still had not gotten used to the smell. It was not the only adjustment that had been difficult for the young woman.
Removing a hair band Stacey shook out her long platinum blonde hair letting it bounce down her shoulders and slightly over her left eye.
At twenty Stacey carried herself with an air of innocent confidence. She was attractive in that girl-next-door sort of way. Her chin was rounded with slender lips coloured a brilliant pink. High cheekbones and a soft brow framed ice blue eyes parted by a small strait nose. A little skinny for her height she had the build of a dancer, strong lean arms and long legs. A small pentacle on long chain hung from Staceys neck and a second adorned a ring on her right hand.
She watched with casual interest the unusually sparse early afternoon crowds walking down New Yorks streets. Slipping through the other pedestrians Stacey noticed more than a couple men turn to watch her for a half second. Irritation making her nostrils flair she drew her jacket closed to hide the low cut top she wore for work.
Heels of her boots grinding on the gravel from construction Stacey turned down a side alley that would cut down by several minutes the time to the small apartment she shared with her sister.
Attracted by the shadows thugs of varying sorts had been known to gather in the alley seeking a place shielded against unwanted eyes to deal their drugs. Stacey was aware of the alley's shady occupant's but believed that they would not bother her if she left them alone. Therefore it came as a mild surprise when a group of four thugs emerged to block her path.
Gold teeth glinting in the shadows the four cackled to each other. One smacked a short lead pipe into his palm. Another had a toothpick sticking from between his teeth like a cigarette.
I'm not looking for trouble, Stacey said holding her hands out in front of herself in a defensive posture.
Well, ain't it a damn shame then that ya chose ta step foot in our alley, replied the one with the toothpick.
Wetting her lips Stacey tried to back up towards the street. After a single step she smacked into the chest of the third man. Laughing he reached around Stacey to pin her against him. Realizing that she had to either run or fight Stacey chose to run. Jabbing her elbow into the man's gut she bolted between toothpick and lead pipe using her purse as a flail to help clear a hole. Behind her she heard the man she had hit gasping for breath.
Get her! Toothpick yelled giving chase at once.
Heart rising higher in her chest Stacey bobbed and weaved down the ally avoiding garbage cans and shopping carts. Stacey knew she had to do something fast to deter her pursuers. They needed to think she wasn't worth the effort of chasing. Concentrating on running Stacey saw a high fence.
Leap it, whispered a small voice in her ear.
Maybe it would work, maybe not, but Stacey saw it her best chance of escape.
Jumping high into the air she tossed her purse over the fence to free her hands, landing on the wires like she was a spider. Not even pausing she began to pull herself up. Before Stacey was half way a strong hand grabbed her by the ankle and tried to pull her from the fence.
Sorry precious, but ya ain't !
Stacey kicked down trying to measure her strength with care. There was a satisfying crack followed by the thug collapsing against the fence. Chain links groaned for a horrible moment. Stacey thought the fence would collapse under her. Stacey yanked her ankle from the thugs limp grip. Behind her the booted feet of the remaining thugs drew closer.
They were too slow. Stacey reached over the fence and flipped down the other side. A wave of satisfied relief washed the reserved tenseness that the short run had brought on. Landing unevenly she staggered striking her shoulder on the wall. Yelping Stacey felt a sharp pain pierce her shoulder. Staggering along the alley she looked back to see the thugs cussing and making vulgar gestures towards her. The one she had kicked sat on the ground blood rushing through his fingers from his nose.
Checking her shoulder as she exited the alley Stacey was surprised to see a deep gash through her jacket. A thin rivulet of blood trickled down her arm. A moment of dizziness sprang on Stacey making her rest against the building. Confused Stacey tried to shake the dizziness from her head. She could not fathom how anything in the alley had managed to cut her. As the dizziness passed Stacey set off again moving at a much brisker pace while trying to prevent the bleeding.
A few people turned to peer at her wondering what had happened to her shoulder. None stopped to ask and it was without further incident that Stacey reached her home.
Her apartment was on the third floor of a dingy building constructed back in the great depression. The stairs smelled of old meat packets half the time and burnt fish the rest. Complaints to the landlord were useless and Stacey had gotten used to holding her breath or just ignoring the smell.
Moving into the small bathroom she stripped pulling a bottle of iodine from the cabinet. Her shoulder burned and had developed a thick crust of blood where she had been cut. Gritting her teeth Stacy showered scrubbing away all the blood. For a moment the room spun, the red water swirling around her feet seemed to reach up for her. The nausea passed after a minute leaving a sensation of weakness in her knees. Stepping out of the shower Stacey gave the cut a quick inspection before she bandaged her shoulder. Stacey was startled to see that the cut was deep and a little over three inches long.
Looking closer she saw something buried down in the cut. Gritting her teeth again she reached in and pulled it free. The room spun faster than before. As her vision steadied she looked in amazement at a shard of dark metal. Dropping the metal into the sink Stacey pulled a sterile bandage from the medicine kit and taped it over the cut.
"Hey, Stacey, you in here?"
A red head poked through the door, a hand covering its eyes.
"Patty! Do you mind?" Stacey pivoted grabbing a towel from the shelf and pushing the red head back out the door. Completing the spin she hooked her foot on the doors edge slamming it shut.
"Well, close the door next time. How was I to know you were changing or something?" Patricia huffed through the door.
Towel wrapped around her Stacey stepped out and swatted her sister on the back the head.
Emitting a yelp Patricia leapt into the air. "What was that for?"
"Being a snoop."
Patricia snorted tossing back a long pigtail.
Standing together it was obvious that they were sisters their differences being slight. Of the two, Patricia was just a little shorter then Stacey though still tall by woman's standards both being just shy of six feet. They shared eyes though Patricia's had a green tinge under the right lighting. Patricia also was rounder in the face, and had a smaller nose. Each had a smooth grace when they moved produced by years of dancing lessons.
"Snoop? Im not a snoop."
Patricia noticed the bandage and gave another snort.
"Looks like I was right to be worried. How did you get that?"
Stepping into the small kitchenette Stacey said, "It's nothing. I just caught a piece of metal jumping a fence while running from some low-life thugs."
The television flicked to life.
"A piece of metal, huh? That's a first." Patricia laughed surfing through the televisions small number of channels. You sure you werent bashing their heads in and one got you with a knife?
Knock around some thugs? Thats not my cup of tea," Stacey said a few minutes later carrying a turkey sandwich. Besides, that would be hardly trying to stay low profile. After a short pause she asked, Why do you think I was bashing their heads in?
Well, how else would you get cut? Patricia threw her sister an accusing look. The nigh invulnerable and gymnastic black-belt Stacey cutting herself in a pipe or something. Thats a likely story.
By the Goddess, Im telling you I just cut it leaping a fence! Stacey snapped shooting her sister a livid look.
Patricia held up her hands in a semblance of surrender. Okay, okay, I was only asking, she said exasperated.
Stacey knew that Patricia was just trying to tease her. Patricia when at her most mellow extremely playful and alive with energy.
For Patricia life had never been simple. It wasnt that she was any less intelligent than Stacey just less focused. Patricia was wild and carefree but exceedingly driven to be the absolute best. It wasnt uncommon for her to in a year have several different hobbies, excel in them, and then drop them for something new. From horseback riding to skateboarding and painting Patricia just never stuck to any one thing. Patricia just seemed lost to Stacey and uncertain where she wanted to go.
With Stacey things were far more relaxed. While Patricia would bounce from one thing to the next like a hyperactive squirrel Stacey would lay back continuing forward with a simple ease. Stacey would do the few activities her father and mother felt best for her. This laid back feeling of ease had been nurtured by family and teachers. Patricia teased Stacey that she was a stick in the mud and too dutiful.
They had led privileged childhoods not hinted in their present surroundings. Their parents both came from old families and made excellent money on top as business lawyers. Not once had something been barred from either girl. They had even been given a car each for their sixteenth birthday. But despite all the privileges they had always felt separated from their parents. Neither could exactly place their fingers on it but if asked both would say they didnt receive a great deal of love. Their parents had simply been too busy with their jobs or organizations leaving the girls to their hobbies.
Patricia lay on the small couch watching an old cartoon. From beneath the couch appeared a bag of chips. Patricia took a couple out, sniffed them, and shrugging popped them in her mouth.
"Are you feeling alright? Normally you would be cursing up a storm over something like that," Patricia said pointing at Staceys bandage with a half stale potato chip. Sitting up Patricia then asked, "Say, want to go out for a bit? Get out of this dump?" before Stacey had time to respond.
"Too do what exactly?"
Stacey flopped down into a chair and inspected her shoulder. It was seeping a bit and the bandage would have to be changed. She gave an inward grumble. Not in a dozen years had she been cut. The way it continued to bleed was puzzling.
"You need to get out more."
"Going out is what caused this," Stacey gave a slight gesture towards her shoulder.
Patricia scrunched up her face and swore. "So youre going to hide behind a hurt shoulder now? Goddess, Stacey listen to yourself. You have gone out all of what, three times, since Sam dumped you. And no, work doesnt count as going out. Forget the jerk already. Besides, you were too good for him."
Sam, the name sent a sharp spike of anger beating into Staceys heart. They had been together only a month. It was a month that Stacey had thought was the beginning of a wonderful new life. He had been kind, sensitive, took her for long walks under the moon. It had been a blissful perfect month. Then he had ended it the morning after the first time they slept together. No explanations, no false sympathetic words, just gone.
At first Stacey had fretted that something had happened to him. Then she got a voice mail. It was from Sams mother, a woman Stacey had never met, apologizing for her son. He had been in secret seeing another girl and together they had eloped to Spain.
Quiet fury had been slow to replace the deep biting pain. She didnt know where to begin with all he had put her through, so she tried to ignore it and instead sit silent and safe in the apartment. Patricia had been far more verbal than Stacey about Sam. In response to the sullen hurt cloaking her sister Patricia had lambasted him. After a few weeks she had started trying to get Stacey out of the apartment with promises of girl-time and fat free milkshakes.
Besides, we both know it could not have lasted much longer.
Stacey gave her sister a hurt frown but did not argue the logic.
"I know what you are trying to do Patty and it will not work."
"Come on, will it kill you to step out for a little girl-time?"
Rolling her eyes Stacey gave Patricia a long look before again gesturing to her shoulder.
"It nearly did once today."
"So what are the odds of it happening again?" Patricia jumped to her feet and dragged Stacey up. "It will be fun."
Something in Patricia's tone was infectious and a short time later Stacey found herself walking into Lady May's Clothing behind a visibly excited Patricia. For a moment Stacey wondered just why they were going to Lady Mays. There was little in the store that was to Patricias normal tastes. The styles it carried were too formal or old for her, though Stacey did appreciate some of the blouses. There was a woman pushing a baby carriage and an elderly couple browsing through a stack of cardigans. Patricia headed straight for the back of the store where there was a hat section. A young male clerk stepping over to ask them if they needed any help answered Stacey's unasked question.
He was cute, in a wannabe boy band singer sort of way. Stacey couldn't help comparing him to Sam and finding the former lacking. Sam had a stronger set to his features and a better smile. The way his eyes shone once sent flutters through Stacey's heart. He also had been far more athletic looking and taller.
Patricia began to fawn and flirt making Stacey's stomach clench. Excusing herself Stacey told her sister that she was going to a juice place for a shake and not to be long. Her intentions had been good Stacey knew but Patricia could be a little thick at times. How Patricia could have thought that going to check out boys was something Stacey was remotely interested in so soon after being dumped escaped her. At the same time Stacey berated herself for thinking that going out had ever been about anything other than boy hunting.
Fishing in her pockets Stacey realized she was short of cash. Deciding to stop in a small bank and make a quick withdrawal she turned around. Stacey and Patricia both kept a single account that had a nominal amount available. Neither particularly trusted having their money locked away with the collapse of so many banks.
The bank was nearly empty so Stacey went straight to the teller. That was when the men came charging in with pistols drawn.
A woman screaming drew Staceys attention. Turning around she looked straight at a masked man holding a shotgun. Stacey raised her hands a tight knot of anxiety twisting itself deep in Staceys gut as the shotgun was pointed in her direction. The single security guard dropped his gun and raised his hands his face a pasty white. He was struck on the back of the head knocking him to the floor where he was tied up with zip-ties. The robbers herded everyone else together while the manager was ushered to the back rooms. It struck Stacey as odd. She couldnt imagine a small mall bank would have much to steal. There were certainly dozens of larger banks close by.
Her luck must have completely deserted. Stacey pressed her face into her hands giving out a small defeated sigh. What was she going to do? There was going to be police and interviews and reporters. Maybe one of them would want to interview her. What if they splashed her face across television? Stifling a moan Stacey raised her head looking around the bank.
"Stay calm people, nobody needs to get hurt," one of the men said as he closed the door leading to the street.
The bank had been built in the spot where an old tanning salon used to be and had only a small door. Instant cash machines had been placed in an alcove just inside the building and the tellers faced the street. Only two of the robbers stayed to watch over the hostages while the others went into the backrooms. Stacey couldn't tell how many of them there were but she guessed at least five.
Leaning forward Stacey tried to catch what the robbers were saying but the paintball masks they wore muffled their voices. They were also speaking in short clipped phrases that didn't make any sense. Probably a specific set of cant so the hostages wouldnt know what was going to happen. A whisper in the back of Staceys mind told her that these people were not taking chances and she was going to have to do something fast.
Licking her lips Stacey looked out of the corner of her eye towards the security cameras. If the robbers were being smart then they would take the tape and dispose of it. Assuming it was kept in the bank and wasn't at some remote site. One of the robbers pulled out a can of black spray paint. Tossing it to a partner the other robber went around painting over the cameras lenses. That solved the cameras Stacey inwardly sighed.
Looking over at the other huddled hostages she knew that when she acted she would have to be careful. Hesitating Stacey wondered if what she was about to do was the wisest course of action. Perhaps it would be better to just sit meek with the other hostages and then run after the robbers left.
You, get up, the robber who had pulled out the spray paint said to one of the tellers.
A moment of relief overcame Stacey. They had no interest in her. What would they do with the teller? Could Stacey sit by if they were going to harm the woman? No, that wasnt how Stacey thought of herself. Some coward how would let others die to protect herself. She knew that it would kill her to have had the ability and opportunity to act and not to follow through.
"Excuse me," Stacey said in a timid voice raising her hand.
One of the robbers looked over at her and levelled his shotgun at Stacey. Stepping towards her he said, be quiet."
The response was typical. They felt in control but were treading a very thin line between their goal and total disaster. The stress filling the bank was palpable. With a gun in the mix the situation could turn deadly at the drop of a pin.
"I have to go to the bathroom," Stacey said filling her voice with as much fear and emotion as she could.
"Do you think I am an idiot? Hold it or piss yourself, but youre not moving, sugar."
He gestured with the gun for her to sit.
Stacey needed the robber closer before she could do anything.
"What?" Ire filled her voice now along with a large measure of disbelief.
Behind his mask the robber's eyes filled with a dark rage.
The man stepped closer raising a fist, "listen, I don't care..."
Leaping forward Stacey threw a punch into the stomach of the man brushing the shotgun up and away from the other hostages with her other hand. She had tried to carefully measure her strength but the man still flew back several feet. His partner tried to raise his pistol but Stacey was faster striking him in the side with a quick kick. He spun like a wheel before colliding with the wall and falling into a still silent heap. The hostages stared at Stacey with wide eyes.
"What's all the noise?"
Turning Stacey had enough time to see the robber enter the room, an assault rifle in his hands. There was nowhere for her to run and she knew that it was imposable to dodge. Besides, if she did there was a very good possibility of the people behind her being hit.
For a brief moment Stacey again questioned the wisdom of her actions. She had never tried to stop a bullet before. Her shoulder throbbed reminding Stacey that she was not invulnerable. The moment passed and Stacey braced herself.
The gun gave a quick series of bangs recoil making it climb after the first few shots. Angry hot metal slammed into Stacey knocking her down. Pieces of mortar and wood skipped across the room created by the few bullets that flew past Stacey. A woman started to shriek and the voices of the other robbers shouted from the back rooms along with the stamp of heavy booted feet.
Lying on her back holding her breath Stacey could not believe how much getting shot hurt. It was like her body was one of the training bags boxers used.
That will leave a bruise or three, she muttered.
Rolling onto her side Stacey placed her hand palm down on the floor, splayed fingers pointing at the robber. He stared at her incredulously amazed that she was still alive. With a wink at the robber Stacey pressed her hand hard into the floor and let out a long controlled breath.
Only three times before had Stacey been able to willingly do what she was trying. Inside her Stacey could feel something like a coiled serpent wake. The serpent was like an empty space, a hungry mouth that craved sustenance but never could be sated. Where it came from and what it was Stacey didnt know or understand. She was afraid to learn the truth of the serpent. It had been with her for years. Eyes closed she imagined it slithering through her arm and biting the floor. Ever hungry the serpent obeyed and sucked at the point of contact.
Ice shot across the banks tiled floor towards the robber like lattice across a cathedral roof. In the time it took him to raise his weapon the ice passed under his feet. Slipping he fell cursing a long stream of fire exploding from his gun. Bullets buried themselves in the walls and ceiling sending down a shower of debris. The hostages all screamed and ducked, covering their heads as if it would protect them from the wild gunfire.
Adrenaline pumping Stacey leaped up and charged before the robber could regain his wits. Grabbing his collar she very carefully punched him in the face. Blood and a couple teeth splattered across the quickly melting ice. The man gave a groan going limp. Reaching back Stacey hit the man a second time to make sure he was truly out of the fight.
An angry roar drew Stacey's attention up in time to see a massive man charging her. Standing well over six feet tall and with a chest that looked like an oil drum the man was the biggest person Stacey had ever seen in her life. With a right hook to her hurt shoulder he sent Stacey tumbling across the floor. Smirking he strode forward cracking his knuckles but halted when Stacey stood back up. Her shoulder stung and she could feel her shirt sticking to her skin. Roaring again the huge man charged like a bull.
He smashed Stacey in the chest with all his might. The sound of bone snapping could be heard by the frightened hostages. One of them groaned in sympathy for Stacey. She staggered back a step, but otherwise was unhurt. The man yelled clutching a broken hand. Smiling now Stacey grabbed his shirt yanking him forward while reaching back in preparation of a devastating punch.
"Hit him and they die."
Stacey hesitated at the cold creeping from the threat.
The last robber stood beside the inert form of the robber that had shot her, gun pointed at the hostages. In his other hand was a large satchel filled with presumably money. From the same woman who kept shrieking and screaming came a low desperate moan. Sirens could be heard in the distance.
"Back up and don't think of doing anything funny. I don't know what in Hell you are, but I know you don't want these poor people to get hurt, now do you?"
The glare in the man's eyes left no doubt in Stacey that he would kill the hostages without remorse or hesitation if she didn't listen. Gritting her teeth Stacey carefully released the huge man and stepped back. The first two robbers groaned and started to get up.
"We got what we were after," the last one said never taking his eyes off Stacey. "Five grab Two and let's go. The police will be here any minute."
The huge man snarled something slinging the unconscious form of the last robber over his shoulder. Keeping a close eye on Stacey the robbers fled the bank. Stacey waited for a few seconds before chasing after them. She got out of the bank in time to see an armoured truck speeding away. Stacey glared after the truck, but decided not to chase it. She had to get away herself before the Police and reporters arrived. The last thing she needed was her face plastered across national television. Checking to make sure she wasn't followed Stacey ran.
Across the street hidden high in the shadows watched a tall figure, the tip of a cigarette flaring as Stacey disappeared.