Sypher

Part 1

Chapter 1

Peter

A cold breeze brushed over Peters face as he sipped on he's coffee while heading home from the office. The snow filled the streets as kids throw snowballs at each other as Christmas carols filled the hearts of young couples waking down the street.

'Yes of course the project is in full swing why else would I be calling with good news?' Peter says on the phone

'Look everything is going to be fine, the servers are ready to go, we have done all the background checks on the operators and we are ready for anything, so can you please relax?'

As Peter rushed into a nearby store ready to start his Christmas shopping on Christmas eve, the noise and hustle and bustle of the busy parents ready for the holidays filled the city as the lights of the store and the music in the air filled the parents with joy as well as dread for taking so long to do their shopping. As Peter reached for the last of the Unicorn dolls that his daughter wanted for the past four months.

As a hand pushed Peter out of the way sending him into a nearby family, 'Finally' Peter hears the person say, 'Now I can get that bitch to shut up about this stupid toy'. The father of the family helped Peter to his feet, 'Are you ok sir?' Asked a small voice 'Yes thank you so much' Peter said in such a shocked voice wondering what happened. 'Excuse me sir?' Peter called out as he clambered to his feet, 'I believe you owe me an apology for what you just did,' Peter still in shock faces the man. As the giant six-foot one bodybuilder turns slowly looking directly at Peter like a lion looks at its prey, 'What!?' His word echo across the store as shoppers look on in fear for Peter. 'I said you owe me an apology for what you just did' As the words started to come out of Peters mouth it got incredibly dry and warm in the store all of a sudden. 'I don't owe you anything, as far as I'm concerned you tripped' Nothing but fear filled Peter as the man started to slowly make his way towards him. Peter not to let others get the better of him looked the giant in the eyes and repeated 'You owe me an....' Just before he could finish, the speed and weight of a surprisingly soft fist came crashing across his face as he dropped to the ground. The giant looked on as nearby shoppers watched in horror as the man stood over Peter like he just won a prized fight, 'WHAT!' He yelled at nearby families. Peter bloodied from the punch stands to his feet as says 'Is that all you got?' The giant shocked by what he just heard looked at Peter and went to take a second swing but before he could, the noise of handcuffs could be heard as the police arrest the man. Peter looked on as the man was put into the police car, 'I believe this belongs to you' As the father hands the Unicorn toy to Peter. 'You really can take a hit' He says 'Well I used to box in the military, I got hit a lot,' he said while wiping the blood from his nose. 'You need a hand?' The father asked 'No its fine I got everything I need; besides I have to head home to the wife she is going to kill me if I'm late one more time.'

As Peter walked out of the shop he turns to man, 'I never got your name friend' The man turns 'Cole is my name and yours?' 'Peter, thanks for today Cole you're a good person' He looks at Peter 'To be honest if that was me, I would have walked away, I'm not much of a fighter' Peter puts his hand on the man's shoulders and says 'Cole, when you love your family the way I do, then you will always be a fighter'. The two men share a hug and went their separate ways.

As Peter made his way to his car the injury that he had sustained from the altercation in the toy shop was starting to take its toll on his vision 'What is happening?' Peter asked as the cut reopened on his forehead causing his vision to blur and fade. Suddenly pain came crashing down on Peter like he had just been crushed by a bolder, it was clear that Peter had something more happen to him than just a simple punch to the head. In a panic Peter reached for his phone in his pocket but with the pain and blurred vision he could not make out the numbers, he leaped out the door trying to scream for help but no one was around. Peter dazed and confused lay on his back on the roof of the dark and dusty carpark, wondering what will happen to him starts to come to terms with this being his end and sheds a tear. The snow falls down on his face as he hears the music of Shakin' Stevens Merry Christmas Everyone playing on the streets below wondering if he will ever get to see his wife and daughter again 'Lily' Peter says as his eyes close and the music fades.