Blood and Snow

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"HAPPY HAPPY WAKE UP WAKE UP," Bradley ran into the room, screaming joyfully, "THERE'S ICE EVERYWHERE!"

Happy groaned from her spot on the floor and rolled over. Sierra, Belle, and Myckenzie, however, were awake in an instant. Bradley gasped loudly, "Happy! You had a slumberparty without me!"

"I'm sorry, Bradley." Sierra and Belle said in sync. The blonde and the bluenette shared a glance with each other and smiled a little. Myckenzie huffed and rubbed her eye tiredly. "It was girls only. Sorry about your luck, bud." the woman with pink hair said. Bradley pouted. Happy finally sprung up out of her blankets, registering what Bradley said. "ICE!" she hollered, "ICE IS FOR SMASHING! BRADLEY, LET'S GO BREAK SOME ICE!"

And like that, Bradley was excited again. "HECK YEAH!" the little boy cheered. "Alright, everyone out! I gotta change into some winter gear!" Happy shooed them out. The three girls grabbed their pillow and blankets and followed Bradley into the hallway. As soon as Happy shut her door, Bradley ran towards his room, probably to do the same thing as her. "Sierra? Myckenzie? Thank you for coming to the sleepover." Belle thanked them, "It was really fun."

"Of course." Sierra smiled again. "Anytime." Myckenzie nodded, "Make sure you expand your knowledge of stuff so we have more jokes next time."

Belle laughed, "Will do."

}----------{

"AWWWWWW! COME ON YOU GUYS!" Bradley whined. Mason shook his head. "I'm sorry, Bradley, but you and Happy can't be trusted by yourselves. One of you is bound to get hurt without someone to make sure you're okay." the edgelord told the boy. "But boss—!" Happy tried, Mason interrupting her with another shake of his head. Belle watched as her two friends became sad. 'They really wanted to go break the ice outside.' she thought sympathetically, 'Poor guys.'

"No means no." Baron grumbled from behind Mason. "C'mon, meanies! Let us have some fun!" Happy kept arguing. Mason sighed deeply, "As long as there is at least one person who goes with you. Is anyone here that would like to volunteer?"

The room was quiet-- not that there were many people in there to begin with. Honestly, it was just Mason, Baron, Happy, Bradley, and Belle. Flynn was there a few minutes ago, but he left to get Tyreke because he got a splinter (the poor baby). "That's not fair!" Bradley huffed. "Life's not fair. Deal with it." Baron muttered. Happy and Bradley both let out an aggravated yell.

"I can go with them." Belle offered. Mason and Baron looked at her with narrow eyes. "You want to go outside?" Mason asked with suspicion. Belle's breathing hitched. Oops. 'I forgot that I'm not exactly free to go anywhere yet.' she became nervous. "Uhm... y--yeah..." she hesitated, "I--I'm sorry, I forgot... I just want Happy and Bradley to have their fun, is all..."

Mason's blue eyes searched Belle's for a moment. Why did she ask? Was she being honest, or did she have an alternative motive? Was Belle planning to run away? Is she trying to escape? Mason glanced at Baron, silently asking him a question or two. Baron looked at Belle, then at Mason, then closed his eyes and sighed. "I don't think she's planning on trying anything." the big bear man shared, "And it's not like she knows where she is. If she does run away, either she'll freeze to death or we'll catch her and throw her in her room."

Mason nodded in agreement, much to Belle's relief. "Very well, then. Happy, Bradley, Belle's going with you. Don't get her in trouble, understand?"

Happy and Bradley nodded their heads rapidly, then high-fived.

"And Belle?" Mason locked his gaze with hers again, stealing her breath, "You know what we expect of you, right? Do we have your word that you'll come back without resistance?"

Belle nodded, very relieved. "Of course. I promise, Mason, I'm not going anywhere." she told him with a small, nervous smile. Mason smiled back. "Have fun." He said.

Mason and Baron watched them leave. "She really got brave." Baron observed, "Remember when she could barely talk to you?"

Mason chuckled. "Yeah... Do you think she trusts any of us?" He asked. Baron nodded, "Happy and Bradley. Fredrick. Flynn and Tyreke. Maybe you."

"Does she trust you?"

Baron went silent.

"Does she remind you of somebody?"

"... She does..."

Mason pat Baron on the back after turning to walk away. "I'm sure it hurts, but maybe you can try again."

Baron watched Mason leave over his shoulder, then turned his head back around.

"... Maybe..."

}—————{

Belle was allowed to borrow some of Happy's winter clothes. It wasn't much, really. Just a purple scarf, mittens, and a pair of earmuffs. She wore one of the more covering outfits she picked out when she first arrived (a long sleeved shirt and some thick jeans), plus her boots and coat. "Oh my gosh! You look pretty in everything you wear!" Happy gasped. Belle laughed lightly. "Thanks, Happy." she smiled. Happy nodded her head vigorously. Bradley bounced up and down while gripping the doorknob tightly. "C'mon you guys! Let's go play!" He said excitedly. Belle and Happy smiled at him, then followed him out the door. Belle hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was a bad idea... then she stepped outside, her boots sinking into the fresh snow with a satisfying crunch.