In the Pursuit of Mr. Reeves

Chapter 6: Snowball

Peyton needed to find a way to thank her friends. It was now the midst of December and she knew she wouldn't be going home for Christmas. She had to give them something grand for the holiday, but she couldn't figure out what to do. She'd been growing close with her friends. They'd seen each other almost every day, when Peyton left for work and the men would make conversation. They were always inviting and made sure that she was doing alright. Never, before, had felt so welcomed into a group and she had to repay them.

The beautiful December night laid outside of her door. She stared at the falling snow outside, a smile on her face. She loved to spend time out in the snow, but she knew she had to focus on an idea. She watched as Ted, Rupert, Utah and Jack ran outside, kicking around in the snow. Harker gracefully stepped outside, letting the snow fall into his leather gloves. He was content with the feel of the cold on his fingertips. Peyton smiled and turned back to the list to work on ideas. Before she could write, a thud came to her window.

She glanced over and saw snow sprayed all over her window. Peyton thought nothing of it, until another thud hit her window. She looked again and, this time, saw chunks of snowball. Curious, she got up and walked over to the window. Below her was Utah, who had another snowball in his hand. She lifted the window open, the screen being the only thing protecting her from the blowing snow.

"What are you doing?" she asked with a half laugh.

"Peyton Bradford!" he yelled," I, Jonathan Utah, challenge you to a snowball fight! I dare you to strike out my friends and I in this cold, vicious thing we call war."

"I can't guys," she tried to say," I have to come up with another idea soon."

"Not even for a little while?" Rupert asked.

"Nope."

"Well," Utah challenged before she closed the window,"Looks like someone's afraid to lose."

They were fighting words. Peyton didn't say anything as she closed the window. Meanwhile, the boys were building forts and ready to have a snowball fight. Utah and Jack built a well displayed fort on the East, with Rupert and Ted on the West. Their fort was lumpy and not useful in an attack. As they argued about how to build their fort, the East threw tons and tons of snowballs in their direction, grazing their skin and breaking down their fort. They kept laughing as they did so, trying to ensure that they won. Harker stood off to the side, knowing it would be uneven if he joined the fight.

"Watch this," Utah said as he packed together a huge snowball.

He raised it above his head and went to throw it. It wasn't until a snowball hit his neck that he dropped the ball. Jack looked to the back to find Peyton standing there, another snowball in her hand as she stared. Her smile was mischievous as Jack looked her in the eyes, and Utah gave her a smile.

"Game on."

With that, the snowball landed on Jack's shirt, and she ran to Rupert and Ted. Harker took this as a sign to join in, and ran to Jack and Utah. The girl sat in the snow with the two men as the three others pelted snowballs in their direction. Ted nervously looked around, then grabbed Rupert by the shoulders.

"We're doomed!" he exclaimed," All of our training and fighting will be for nothing!"

"Don't give up hope, gentlemen," Peyton stepped in as she threw another snowball," We have to stop this once and for all. We must protect one another by building up this fort and taking the East down. We are not cowards- we laugh in the face of danger!"

"And do you have a plan?" Rupert asked.

"As a matter of fact," Peyton smiled," I do."

"Then maybe we can join you."

Neo and Shane smiled down at the group. The girl gave a side smirk, and allowed them shelter. Jack, Utah and Harker slid in their fort soon after, snowballs flying from all directions. Meanwhile, Peyton built up her fort, knowing a little pile wouldn't keep them covered.

"That's not fair," Jack mumbled," They have more people than we do!"

"And one of them is a football player!" Harker exclaimed, then got hit with a snowball," I've been shot! I'm done for!"

"Get it together, man," Jack grabbed his friend, holding him close," you won't be dying on me. We need backup!"

Utah glanced to Johnny and Constanine, who stood by the window. They knew, sooner or later, they'd be dragged into this game. Soon after, snowballs flew and forts grew like towers. This was a battle known to man, they decided, as the war continued onward. Harker was hit so many times that he was nearly frozen. Jack was calming him down, crying out loud about his casualties. Neo was dodging snowballs like bullets, while Constatine was doing his best to hit targets. So when he hit Ted right in the face, he cheered. Peyton and Rupert dropped what they were doing to aid their friend. He was sputtering and coughing as Rupert was reassuring him that he was going to be okay. Peyton had fake tears in her eyes as Ted reached up and placed a hand tightly on her shoulder.

"It's gonna be okay, buddy," she said," You're gonna live!"

"There's...no hope...for me," he coughed," Peyton, avenge me..."

He pretended to die, and Rupert pretended to cry. The girl stared at her 'dead' friend, and knew what she had to do. She formed the biggest snowball  Throughout the snowballs and fighting, Peyton stood up, eyes closed as she raised the snowball.

"For Ted!" she screamed as she threw the snow.

She heard it hit someone, but the silence came around. Peyton opened her eyes and immediately blended in with the environment. Mr Wick stood there, snow in his beard and on his hair. The fighting stopped, and Harker nervously fidgeted as he hid. The others were watching with fear in their eyes. John opened his eyes and looked down to Peyton.

"Oh, Mr Wick," she said, slightly devastated," I am so sorry. I meant to hit Utah and got you. I am so so sorry."

Mr Wick said nothing. Instead, he slowly packed together a snowball and looked to Peyton. He gave a small smile as he handed her the snowball.

"Take the shot, kid," he said softly.

With that, a snowball fight continued. Neo dodged even more balls, and Constantine tried to stay away from the fun. Peyton was getting Utah in the chest, when Johnny was hitting Rupert. In a flash, he picked up the girl and used her as a shield. She laughed as he did so, but Harker immediately took action.

"Lady Peyton!" he called before taking her by the hand in pulling her in," I will protect you."

"Harker!" she laughed as he shielded her.

And throughout the night, they laughed and ran around, happy to have each other.