The sun glistened brightly off the frozen tundra, stinging Amaqjuaq's eyes as he chased after Tulimaq. He adjusted his snow goggles to help fend off the glare before gathering a final burst of speed to tap his younger brother on the back.
The wind blew stronger, threatening to knock the two boys over as they raced and played, edging further and further away from their village and towards the big break in the ice.
The boys slid down an icy hill, laughing as they tumbled ever closer to the water. A gasp from his younger brother drew Amaqjuaq's attention to the beautiful view in front of him. Ice flows and crystal-blue water stretched out in front of the children for miles, as though the earth itself had split wide and allowed the water to come pouring in. On either side of the gash in the ice, the brothers could make out seals galumphing and swimming in the water. It all looked so inviting, although the boys both knew that to enter the frigid waters meant a quick death.
The two boys were so fascinated by the scene before them, they didn't even notice the low humming sound coming from the water.845Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyzFndyGA1
Before he even had time to react, a pair of green hands emerged from the water, sporting long fingernails caked with dirt and grime from a lifetime spent underwater. They latched on to Amaqjuaq and pulled him down to the snowy ground.
Amaqjuaq scrambled and kicked, trying to free himself from what had grabbed him, but the creature was too strong. He tried to free himself as Tulimaq watched in shock, frozen in fear of the humanoid creature he watched rise from the waters.845Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGerhmQlfi
Effortlessly, the sickly green creature lifted Amaqjuaq from the ground with one arm, plunking the confused and terrified child in the amauti on it's back. The boy struggled, but had no leverage to pull himself out of the pouch. The creature's slimy hair the colour of seaweed further entangled him, wrapping around his limbs and preventing him from escaping.
It moved, turning to look at Tulimaq, its soulless eyes pure black.845Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r5URUZqaX
It grinned, displaying its sharp teeth and sending a chill down the boy's spine.845Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr19QkibEnH
It spoke, it's voice shrill and watery like a drowning woman.
"You're next."
Tulimaq screamed and ran as fast as he could back to the village as the creature dove back under the frigid waters, taking Amaqjuaq down into an icy death.845Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiRs7G1vOO
845Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QzWfXRZ5T
Among the Inuit people of Canada's arctic, there are legends that tell of the Qalupalik, horrifying creatures in the water that take disobedient children who stray too far from home. They wear an amauti, a woman's pouch for carrying children, and drag their victims under the water to feed.
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