GWA13E

**START**

**Excursion to the Mountain.**

Luckily, Beruche helped Roy in his studies, so he was able to pass the test without major problems. After that came the teamwork. He as always focused more on his basketball training. His partner had already finished her part of the work and waited patiently for the boy to do his, but he was late, and time was running out. Nervous and angry, she gave him a wake-up call. Roy promised to go with her to the library to finish the work, but Bertie waited for more than half an hour without him showing up. She finally left to look for him and accosted one of her classmates.

- Sorry, Peter," - Bertie asked hurriedly. - Have you seen Roy? I was supposed to meet him in the library a while ago and he hasn't arrived yet.

- Roy? – The boy responded in surprise. - I haven't seen him, he must be training. Why don't you look in the court?

- Thank you. - She replied and rushed over there. -

            When she got to the court, she saw that the unwitting man was indeed training with the rest of his teammates. They were shooting baskets, counterattacks, and some small games.

-I can't believe it, I just can't believe it! - She muttered in disgust. -

      Quite angry, she approached the coach, a stocky, middle-aged guy, and asked him as gently and softly as she could despite her obvious anxiety.

- Excuse me sir, could you ask Roy to come here for a moment? I must talk to him.

- I don't want any distractions to arrange dates. - She was warned by the trainer who already knew the boy from other years. - He's busy right now. Can't you come back later,"- he suggested rather reluctantly. -

- It's not about that, it's just that we have some important class work to finish. - Bertie insisted with an anxious look on her face. -

- In that case you can see him right away. - He replied now with an expression much more attentive to her words. -

-Thank you very much. - The young woman was able to say. - I'm sorry to have to interrupt you.

-Don't worry, academic activities come first. - Her said interlocutor, adding. - And I've said that little rascal that if he misses any, he won't play....

       So, it didn't take long for the coach to get the boys' attention with a whistle, raising his voice to address Roy.

- Malden come here!

               As he approached the coach said goodbye to Beruche and left with the rest of the team to continue training.

-Hello Bertie! - the boy smiled as he arrived next to her panting but happy to see her. - What brings you here? You never come to my training sessions.

       What he wasn't so happy about, though, was her response...arms in hips and visible indignation.

- What do you mean, what brings me here? Have you already forgotten that we were supposed to meet at the library to finish our work? Well, your own part of the job, which is the only one left to do! - Bertie reprimanded him. -

          Hearing that, Roy put a hand to his head with a puzzled expression.

- Sorry, it's true that we're meeting. But I completely forgot about it," - he apologized conciliatorily, adding casually. - When I finish training, we'll meet up and that's it.

- Well, how much do you have left to do? - she asked him more calmly, assuming that it would be a small thing. -

- Well, the truth is that I haven't even started yet, - Roy acknowledged, smiling stupidly as an apology - with all this training..., but don't worry, there's still time left.

- What? - Beruche shrieked, she was getting hysterical – The deadline to present the task is in two days! And you haven't even started yet! But what are you thinking about...?

- Two days? - I thought it was a week away. Sorry, - the boy who still didn't seem to be too worried answered. - I had completely forgotten, what a head of mine!

- You're a careless fool! Maybe you don't give a damn whether you pass or fail, but I have a lot at stake, I must get good results for my scholarship and I'm not going to let my career go to waste because I got an idiot as a classmate! - She shouted at him with tears in her eyes, completely losing her temper. -

- Ok, ok - Roy whispered trying to calm her down as best he could. - Calm down, I'll fix it....

       The truth is that he was really astonished, nervous and embarrassed by her reaction. Even more so with the show they were putting on. Even his teammates and the coach had stopped their activities and were looking at the scene with saucer eyes.

-Don't be like that, we'll sort it out right now, but I'm in the middle of training..." It was the only thing he could think of. - As soon as I'm done...

- You only care about your stupid training sessions! What do you care if the rest of us have a bad time or if I ruin my studies because of you! - She sobbed and told him another one of those Japanese words she only said when he made her angry. - Anata wa musekinin des!

           She turned and ran away, and people could hear her crying from far away. Roy stood frozen in place, until his trainer bellowed at him.

- Malden, go finish that job right now or I'll shove such a pack up your ass that you won't be able to sit down for months! And I'm telling you, you'll be sitting on the bench for the whole season!

- So, can I go? - The boy asked in a rather stupid way as if he was trying to make sure....

- Get out! - the coach shouted. So, without wasting a second, Roy ran off after Beruche. The rest of his teammates gawked at him, and his trainer took it out on them. - What's the matter, don't you have anything to do? You guys didn't miss anything out there, so let's go and train, you lazy bums!

          Their shouts echoed throughout the pavilion and the rest of the team went back to work, but without ceasing to make jocular comments about what had happened.

-Wow, What a girl! - Ozzie laughed as he went in for a basket. -

-Yeah, she must be the only one who's been able to get Roy in line. - Jack joked in turn as he shot a free throw. -

-In exchange for him putting something else in later. - Chuck Taylor, a reserve forward, said. -

            That made them laugh, although when they saw their coach approaching, they immediately kept silent and went back to their exercises. Roy was running fast and managed to catch up with his teammate in the corridor, dodging anyone who came his way. He finally managed to overtake her and gently stopped her, placing his hands on her shoulders as she cried and refused to look at him.

- Bertie, please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, don't take it like that. I give you my word that we'll get on with it right away and we won't leave it until it's finished. It doesn't matter if I don't sleep, if I don't eat or if I don't train, I promise.

- Yeah right, you always say that. - She stammered between the tantrum and wiping the tears from her once blue eyes, now red from crying so much, still reproaching him with visible discomfort. - You seem to enjoy making a fool of me.

- No, no," he replied, really embarrassed, in the softest voice he could manage. - How can you say that you little cube? You know I can't watch you cry, silly. Listen, I know I'm an idiot or whatever it is you call me in Japanese every time you get angry, but this time I won't let you down!  You've helped me a lot and I'm not going to leave you hanging now. Really, you have my word. Just let me shower and change and in fifteen minutes I'll be at the library. I never break a promise. You know that.

There was an awkward silence as if she was pondering those words, though even Bertie had to admit that, when the boy promised something, he was keen to keep it.  Roy was in turn having a hard time, hanging exclusively on her reaction, until the girl looked at him ...

- Then I'll wait for you there, fifteen minutes. - She replied, wiping her smeared make-up with a handkerchief - and don't be late as usual! - She insisted to him in a lapidary way with her voice in a weepy voice. -

        He nodded and left in a hurry. None of them noticed that Melanie and some cheerleaders had witnessed the whole scene. Their training day had ended a moment ago and they were returning from putting away the sound equipment. The captain could only stare in astonishment, and later in rage, from the back of the hallway. It was clear that this girl was making Roy do what she wanted.

- Damned Japanese devil! - She said to herself with real spite and then went off to think about how she could annoy her....

-Leave her alone Mel. - April asked her, visibly nervous. - Connie is about to come, she's gone to hear....

- I don't give a damn! - Her captain burst out, turning to look at her with a furious gesture: - "Let her hear me!

        Both her hurried interlocutor, Susy, and Brooke, who were with her, looked at each other in consternation. At last Melanie sighed, trying to calm down and then apologized, almost between sobs.

-I'm sorry, girls. You're right, April. I'm being an idiot. And in this case, I understand that the Japanese girl is right. Roy sucks at group work.

-Go ahead and leave if you want to. - Susy suggested Susy. - I'll wait for Connie and Serena.

Melanie nodded, she needed to be alone. She had humiliated herself enough in front of her team. April and Brooke went with her.

-This is not going to end well. – Susy sighed, saddened. - And I'm so sorry for Connie. She's not to blame, but she's going to suffer, she's caught between her sister and Mel.

    As far as Roy was concerned, when he got to the locker room he hurriedly showered and changed while enduring the comments of his teammates who had finished training and were coming in at that moment.

- That girl's quite a character, boy, I've never seen one treat you like that. - Jack, Roy's teammate, and friend, scoffed ....

- Have you made out with her already? - Roger, the other big fella from his inner circle on the team, with a sneer intervened. -

- Oh, shut up, don't say any more stupid things," - the questioner responded, unable to hide his annoyance. -

- Hey, guys, I think Roy, "conqueror" Malden, has fallen in love..." Michael, who was seconded by the others laughed. - He's blushing!

And the latter remembered his colleague's crazy plan to be alone with that girl, on that famous excursion that was so much talked about in college. Those two lost at night, who knows where! Surely there was something there. But Michael prudently decided not to mention the matter when his friend took the floor...

- Don't talk so much nonsense now, save it for when you're drunk. I'm not in love with anyone. It's just that she helps me study a lot and I owe her a few favors. That's all. - Roy justified to get out of the way, trying to keep a jovial tone. -

- Well, pay her like you pay everyone else, besides, the girl's not bad at all!  You know, reserved matter. - Kevin suggested with a laugh. -

- Yeah, I'm sure she's got to move. Boom, boom! Well, even if she's not her cheerleader sister. - Laughed Ossy making ostentatious gestures with his waist to encourage his partner, or so he thought. - Come on Roy, you wouldn't be you if you didn't make her out with. Deep down that broad's looking forward to it. I bet you already have a plan.

- I'm leaving, I'm in a hurry. - He replied dryly to avoid the subject. -

        Then he ran to the library to the astonishment of his teammates, some of whom looked at each other with perplexity. And even with slight smiles.

- Who is that guy, what have he done with Roy? -the astonished Jack commented -

-You know, kid. Love does strange things to people. - Michael laughed. -

            And they all laughed heartily. Meanwhile, at the cult headquarters, Valnak was preparing to leave. The Great Wiseman asked him suspiciously.

- We can't go on like this. Are you going to send another demon? You have already seen that this is useless.

- Not this time, the time has come for me to intervene personally. - He refuted him without worrying.

-So, do you have a plan?

- Yes sir, I'm going in search of the target right now. It is already ripe for my intervention. - Valnak responded, disappearing into the mist. -

           Oblivious to what had happened, Cooan and Tom had also finished training in their respective sports. The former had just finished collecting the material with Serena, since it was their turn. When they left the storage room where they kept it, they found Susy waiting for them.

- And the others? - Serena asked. -

-They had to leave. - The questioned one answered with a face of circumstances. -

-Well, let's go too. - Cooan smiled. -

         As they were leaving the pavilion, they met Tom, who was coming out of the martial arts room after training.

-Hi Tommy. - Susy smiled mischievously at him. -

-Hello," he replied politely, smiling slightly. - What's up, girls?

-Now that we've seen you, much better. - Serena commented amused. -

The boy even blushed a little. The two cheerleaders were looking at him, judging him adorable. Besides, he was very handsome and looked great. Unfortunately for them by this time they had already realized, as had the rest of them, that he only had eyes for his partner. So, Susy, wanting to give her friend Connie a hand, suggested to Serena.

-Let's go find Melanie and tell her what you know....

- What's that? - asked her friend candidly until she received a sly nudge. - Oh, that!" she added immediately. -

- What do you mean? - Cooan wanted to know, observing them without understanding what was going on. -

-Things of ours. Look, you have a little chat with Tom, it would be very rude if we all stood him up here. - Smiled Susy. -

He certainly had no objection to that. Those two girls said goodbye and Tom took the opportunity to break the ice a little by asking Connie.

- You haven't seen Roy around here, have you?

- No, nor my sister. I'm a little worried, this morning she left our room in a huff. She was going to look for him, she and Roy had to finish a job in two days. And he hasn't told her yet. I hope he's got his part ready. - She told him with a hurried expression. -

- If there's anyone who can get Roy to do a steady job, it's Bertie," - Tom said with a smile and proposed, "- well, what do you say we look for them together?

- Yes," - his interlocutor nodded. - That's a good idea.

            The two of them set off on their search, crossing paths with Melanie. The head cheerleader greeted Cooan coldly. Cooan, not noticing the gesture, said.

-Serena and Susy were looking for you....

    But her captain ignored her and went on her way. She seemed to be in a hurry.

- How strange! - Cooan commented, looking at Tom blankly as he explained. - She was in a very jovial mood during training.

-Mel is like that. - Her friend was able to answer with a shrug and added. - She's not a bad girl, but sometimes she acts as she pleases.

The head cheerleader had separated from April and Brooke.

-Leave me alone, please. - She asked them in a crestfallen tone. -

They both nodded, it was useless to try to insist when she was like that. Melanie was in some doldrums. She wanted to scream or burst into tears. It was evident that Roy was captive in the nets of that slut. And the girl was beginning to accept that, for him, this girl was no mere flirt. She was almost upset as she walked through the corridors, thinking about it, and passed Connie without saying a word to her when the girl told her that. Soon, without realizing it, a hand rested on her shoulder and the girl gave a startled jump and turned around...

- I was looking for you. - Roberts told her with a worried gesture. -

- You gave me a scare! - She scolded him with a manifest expression of discomfort. -

- I'm sorry, I just wanted to talk to you.

- I'm busy. - Melanie replied bitterly. -

- Listen to me! - He insisted, annoyed, and hurt by that attitude. - I can't stand the way you humiliate yourself with that cretin. Take a good look at him, he's already interested in that girl. Why don't you leave him alone?

- You'd do well to mind your own business! - She shouted at him, walking away. -

            Roberts stood there, motionless in the hallway. He felt very angry, so angry that he chipped a wall with a single punch spitting in frustration.

- Damn you, Malden, why the hell did she have to notice you? But make one more rant at her in front of me and I'll smash your head in. You don't know how much I want to do it to you!

            And he walked away mumbling his desire for revenge. Valnak nodded at all this amused, he stood behind a corner dressed like a normal human and smiled.

- I'd better wake him up soon or I won't have anyone to wake up. And to think that the cretin thinks that the biggest threat to his life is my demons! If he only knew that they are only here to protect him! - He said to himself mockingly. - Oh, what nonsense is done for love! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! The age of love! - he crooned in amusement, disappearing. -

Oblivious to all this, Roy and Beruche spent several hours in the library and meet for the next day. Hopefully they would finish on time. But Valnak, after materializing again in a discreet place, had wandered around stalking his prey in the corridors of the university. Disguised as just another student he waited and watched as the two boys he saw arrived, already having a more relaxed conversation.

-At least when you get down to serious work, you deliver. - Beruche admitted, much relieved. -

-I already told you that, little cube. - He smiled. -

-Well, that shows that you're capable but very lazy. And you shouldn't be, you're getting old enough to behave yourself.

-Yes, Mommy. - He smiled. -

She stopped and looked at him between perplexed and suspicious, the boy answered with a hand to the back of his head and smiling in a silly way...

-It was a joke. - Roy affirmed sounding jovial. -

-I don't know what I'm going to do with you. - The girl sighed resignedly as they resumed their march. -

Just then Valnak crossed their path and pretended to bump into him. He took the opportunity to discreetly expose him to a beam of reddish energy emanating from a pentacle-shaped amulet, then apologized.

- Excuse me, I tripped, I'm distracted, I'm looking for the concierge.

- Sure, go to the end of the corridor, to the right. - He pointed to his interlocutor solicitously. - You just passed it, my friend.

-Thanks, I'm very absent-minded. - His interlocutor said and once away, smiled mischievously, muttering. - You're very kind.

            Roy felt a strange sensation running through him. Besides, this guy seemed strange and reminded him of someone.

- Doesn't that guy look familiar to you? - He wanted to know by asking Bertie. -

- Who? - she asked in turn since she couldn't see anyone now. -

And that fellow seemed to have vanished. Roy guessed that he was probably in a hurry. Bertie, for her part, had not even noticed him, immersed as she was in her own reflections, after having reprimand to her companion.

-Leave it alone, it's not important. - Roy affirmed. -

The two continued on their way, the demon for his part stopped at the end of another corridor.

-It's on its way. - Valnak thought with satisfaction. - Now just wait and you will be under my control. I'm not doing anything here anymore. I'll be back when everything is ready. - And after making sure he was alone he disappeared around a corner. -

         After that the two boys arrived near the exit of the building. Beruche saw Tom in the distance and called out to him, who came over along with Cooan. The four of them met and sat down on a bench.

-I see you've found him at last. - Bertie's sister commented. -

-I've had my work cut out for me. - She assured him, adding. - But it was worth it, we're almost done.

-Of course, I told you that. - Roy smiled, trying to take the heat off the matter. - Everything will be on time.

-It won't be because of your punctuality. - His partner reproached him again with an admonitory tone. -

He looked away, and both Tom and Cooan smiled in amusement. They chatted for a while longer and then headed to the cafeteria for a drink. Roy suggested a plan for the next few days.

- What do you think if this Friday afternoon we go to the mountains? A friend of mine would lend me his cabin for the whole weekend. It's quite big and in a very nice place, I'm sure you'll love it! Besides, remember that we agreed on it when we came back from the beach.

- Yes, yes, that sounds like a good idea! - Cooan replied enthusiastically. -I'd love it, wouldn't you? - she asked Beruche, hoping that her sister would agree. -

- I want the work to be finished first, and I won't accept it if we don't get more than a B. - She replied inflexibly. -

- Okay, we'll get it. We'll get it. - Roy assured her with conviction, to the surprise of the others. -

- If I don't see it, I don't believe it! - Tom scoffed. - You want to get good grades!

- No, I want to go to the mountains for the weekend and I'm doing it for you too, the least you could say to me is, cheer up! - His friend rebutted him by giving him a slap on the wrist. -

- Yeah, right. You're right. Cheer up. - Tom agreed, amused by that reaction. -

          The same thing happened to Cooan and even Beruche herself, who, however, mused to her sister more seriously, taking advantage of the fact that the boys were now talking about other things.

- I don't know if it will be a good idea Don't you think it's going too far? The four of us in the same cabin?

- Don't be so fearful, woman. – Cooan whispered without taking her eyes off Roy. - Nothing will happen to us; they are both good boys. I assure you they won't do anything to us that we don't want. Ji, ji.

            Her interlocutor looked at her incredulously, mumbling again in a censorious tone.

- It seems to me you've been with Melanie's cheerleading squad too long.

- Don't be silly, Bertie. - Her sister replied more seriously, taking advantage of the fact that the two boys were still giving each other a hard time and laughing at each other's jokes. -I trust Tom and Roy and you should do the same by now.

- I know, it's not that I don't trust them, but what are the others going to say? - Her companion answered in a whisper. -

- Oh, don't worry about that, sis! - Cooan encouraged her, who was eager to convince her sister in any way she could. - And there are four of us, it would be different if it was just one couple.

- Okay, I'll gladly accept after we expose the work. If Roy keeps what he has promised. - Beruche conceded adding loudly to get his attention. - You know, huh? More than one B.

- Of course, I do. - Roy agreed. - You have my word; you know that little cube. I always keep my promises. We'll do a good job.

- Then we're all agreed," -Tom remarked in high spirits. - We're leaving this Friday afternoon! - the others nodded, not hiding their desire to do so. -

            Later they said their goodbyes, and so the two days passed without anything unusual happening. At least as far as episodes of a supernatural nature were concerned. What Cooan did notice was that Melanie was more distant with her, and her fellow cheerleaders were less likely to get together and talk to her.

-I hope I didn't do anything wrong. - She said to herself with some concern. -

But thinking that it was no doubt due to nerves and tension accumulated after the exams, she let it go. She was really looking forward to going to the mountains that weekend. Although it all depended on the outcome of that presentation.

-I hope Roy doesn't disappoint my sister. Bertie can be very stubborn when she gets angry. - Cooan feared. -

But fortunately, her fears were unfounded. Indeed, Roy kept his word, he and Beruche submitted the work. They achieved a B+, certainly more than she had expected, which made her mood much better. At last, the day arrived and as decided, they set off for the mountains. They rented a car and drove a road that was a bit long as the weather was stormy, and they had to go slowly. During the trip the boys were busy playing music. Some eighties songs that they sang with a very good voice. Sometimes one, sometimes another and even a duet.

-Listen to this Kansas hillbilly. Come on, you and me at the same time..." Roy proposed to him at the beginning of that song, with which he seemed to want to give a message to one of his companions. –

***Baby, don't understand***

***Why we can't just hold on to each other's hands?***

***This time might be the last, I fear***

***Unless I make it all too clear, I need you so, ohh***

***Take these broken wings***

***And learn to fly again***

***Learn to live so free***

***And when we hear the voices sing***

***The book of love will open up and let us in***

The girls listened and smiled in amusement. In fact, the combination of voices of their two friends singing was beautiful. With that tune even time seemed to stand still for an instant, bringing the four of them together.

***Take these broken wings***

***Baby, I think tonight***

***We can take what was wrong and make it right, mmm***

       Bertie and Cooan had a strange impression, it was as if they had heard that song before. Perhaps their mother and grandmother, very fond of old Earth songs, had played it to them as children.

***Baby, it's all I know***

***That you're half of the flesh***

***And blood makes me whole***

***I need you so***

***So, take these broken wings***

***And learn to fly again***

***And learn to live so free***

The girls closed their eyes and smiled, that music and their friends' wonderful way of playing it took them back to some beautiful memories of their childhood.

***And when we hear the voices sing***

***The book of love will open up and let us in***

***Take these broken wings***

***You've got to learn to fly***

***Learn to live and love so free***

***And when we hear the voices sing***

***The book of love will open up and let us in, yeah, yeah***

***And let us in***

***And let us in***

***Baby, it's all I know***

***That you're half of the flesh***

***And blood makes me whole, yeah, yeah, yeah***

***Yeah, yeah***

***So, take these broken wings***

***And learn to fly again***

***Learn to live so free***

***And when we hear the voices sing***

***The book of love will open up and let us in***

***Take these broken wings***

***You've got to learn to fly***

***Learn to live and love so free***

***And when we hear the voices sing***

***The book of love will open up for us and let us in, yeah, yeah***

***Yeah, yeah***

***Ooh, ooh, ooh***

**(Broken wings. Mr. Mister. Credit to the artist)**

-I love this song. - Tom said when they finished singing it. -

-It's wonderful, my friend. Yes, sir. Bands don't make music like this anymore. - Roy agreed nostalgically, turning to the girls to ask them jovially. - Isn't it?

-That's right. - Bertie conceded in a quiet voice. - It's very beautiful.

-It looks like magic. - Cooan added enthusiastically. -

So, the journey passed almost unnoticed. The journey itself was quite tortuous and it was difficult to locate the site. However, when they arrived, they all agreed that it had been worth it. The place was beautiful, with pine trees on a hill and a rustic-looking cabin with the rugged mountain scenery in the background. Entering it gave them an even better impression. It was certainly much nicer inside. It had a fireplace, fur rugs and solid furniture of good wood. The boys brought in their luggage and then went outside. The sky had cleared, but it was a bit chilly, and they had to put on their coats, snow covered the place. Roy looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, he felt a strange peace there, surrounded by that white landscape. It was a feeling hard to explain, of freedom and harmony. And it calmed him from those headaches he had been suffering in recent days. It must be because of the stress of doing that job well. The truth is that he would not have wanted to fail Bertie. The poor thing didn't deserve it.

- “I should think more about others. Not just her. Although I certainly don't want to harm her or hurt her, never.

        He was meditating on this when he suddenly felt the impact of something cold in the back of his head. It could only be a snowball. He turned as he removed it and heard the laughter of the two girls armed with snowballs. His friend was also aiming at him with two others in his hands.

- Girls, get him! - Tom harangued and the bombardment began. -

- You will, won't you? Now you'll see! - the attacked boy responded, he dodged as best he could until, when his chance came, he counterattacked with a good hit on Tom and grabbed Cooan - "Let go, Roy!

- Let go of me, Roy! - she shrieked with laughter as her friend lifted her up and grabbed her by the ankles and turned her upside down. - I'm going to get dizzy! - she protested jocularly. -

- If you want, I'll let you go now," he laughed with a visible expression of glee.  - And I'll plant a Connie... phere..." He laughed jocularly. -

- No, but not like that! - she replied, unable to stop laughing and shrieking. - Don't drop me!

            Then Bertie hit him with another ball in the back of the head. The boy lifted Cooan up and took her in his arms and passed her to Tom, who picked her up in the air in a blush until she was able to stand up, blushing in turn. Beruche had another ball ready, and Roy dodged it when the girl threw it at him. She and Cooan lunged for him and all three fell to the ground in the snow. The girls got on top, but their friend held them each with one arm. He had too much strength for them, and they couldn't get free.

- Let us go, you're going to crush us! - Beruche asked him while she laughed. -

- Didn't you want a war? - Roy laughed in turn. - And you, Tom, you traitor, I'll get even with you when the time comes. How could you go over to their side?

- And what did you want me to do? - The alluded one smiled with a shrug of his shoulders and remarked casually, "I couldn't resist them. - I couldn't resist the entreaties of such beautiful girls.

-Okay, I accept that as a mitigating factor. - His interlocutor laughed, declaring shamelessly. - I would have done the same!

           The two girls in question exchanged complicit glances and took advantage of Roy's distraction to shove a handful of snow in his mouth, while he spat it out, loosened his grip and they were able to escape. He got up and ran after them. Cooan hid behind Tom trying to keep him from hanging her upside down again and his sister fled down the hill. Roy took to chasing after her.

- Now you'll see what it means to have a snowball shoved in your mouth! - he shouted as he tried to catch up. -

- You'll have to catch me first, hee, hee, hee! - Bertie laughed frankly amused. -

            Roy caught her with a tackle at her waist, though carefully so as not to hurt her. The two rolled down a gentle snow-filled slope and landed at last with the boy on top of her. Beruche shrieked, laughed, and struggled, but her captor held her tightly by the wrists.

- Say you surrender - he demanded - I am much stronger than you, little girl!

- Don't underestimate me, I'm more slippery than I look. - She replied with a mocking smile. -

- Well, you won't get away from me so easily," he said, approaching Beruche, and they both stared at each other as they did that time in the pit. - Why does this look so familiar? - he whispered, changing his jocular tone to a very soft and reflective one. -

            She said nothing, just extinguished her smile and stared at him with a serene and deep look. Roy felt the irrepressible impulse to kiss her. His heart had turned over now that he was looking at her with that expression stripped for once of her defensive armor. That was the real Bertie, a shy but kindly girl with beautiful piercing blue eyes and long albino to platinum hair strewn across the snow. Still holding her gaze, he could barely muse in a quiet voice, his eyes lost in hers and expression of wonder and longing.

- You are so beautiful! Like a snow princess. It's as if...as if I've lived this long before.

Roy himself didn't know for sure why he had said that. The girl didn't seem to have heard him well, although he was still under that kind of spell. In his mind that image seemed to repeat itself, but he could not remember where or when. His lips approached hers with determination, but at the last instant a searing pain shot through his head. He let go of Beruche and fell to one side. Covering his head with both hands.

- What's the matter? - the girl asked watching him worriedly now as he sat up. - Are you all right, Roy?

- My head hurts a little. - He answered, although it had barely lasted a couple of seconds, it had been a kind of flash, but he was fine now. - It's been bothering me for a couple of days. Don't worry about it. I must have been studying a lot lately.

- Poor thing. - She smiled, mocking me with mock sympathy. - I forgot you're not used to it.

            Her partner recovered immediately and caught Beruche again, lifted her up in his arms and declared amused.

- You've trusted me, you little cube! Now I've got you! Will you give up now, or shall I roll you up in a ball and cover you with snow like a doll?

- You wouldn't dare. - She challenged him, laughing. -

- Do you want to bet? - Roy replied with a mischievous gesture. -

- If you do, Sailor Moon will punish you! - The girl declared almost without thinking, blushing after listening to herself. -

- Sailor Moon? - He said astonished adding with a half-smile. - What is that a sailor on the Moon? - the young man asked without understanding. -

- She's a well-known heroine in Japan. She fights for love and justice. - She answered him, looking at him laughing. Feeling as if she were a child. -

- For love? - her interlocutor mocked. - What does she do, kiss her enemies to finish them off? Hey! If she's hot, I'll go over there and become a villain.

- That's where I'd like to see you! – Bertie laughed, she imagined what the scene of Roy meeting Usagi might be like and said in amusement. - She and her fellow warriors wouldn't let you snow me.

- Ah, is there more than one? - he replied between amused and astonished. -

- Yes, and if you don't behave, you'll be punished. - The girl promised him sweetly, remembering aloud those words that, in other very different circumstances, she had heard so many times, "By telling you Tsuki ni kawatte oshioki yo!

- What? - the boy could say with a puzzled expression. -

- In the name of the Moon, I will punish you. That's what Sailor Moon would tell you before giving you what you deserve and saving me. - She laughed translating it to him amused. -

- Well, I don't think she will come all the way from Japan to save you, so answer the question. - He insisted with visible good humor. - Do you give up?

- Okay, I surrender," - Beruche, who was now shivering with cold admitted. -

- You're freezing! - Roy noticed and said more seriously - we'd better get back to the house. Tom and Cooan must be wondering what we are doing. And here I have a feeling it's going to snow again.

- Yes, it is," - Bertie nodded gratefully at the suggestion and added in a thoughtful tone. -You know, it's funny, I used to love ice and snow, I felt very comfortable in them, but now they make me very cold.

- Maybe it's because your little heart isn't so cold now! - the boy laughed, affirming with mock prophetic theatricality. - The ice cube seems to be melting!

            Beruche smacked him on the head but thought amused at how right Roy was without knowing it. The two of them walked slowly back chatting about more inconsequential things.

-At least you were able to keep your word. - She was telling him. -

-Yes, I've told you that many times before. For a Malden a promise is sacred. My father taught me that. - He sighed now in a more subdued mood. -

Bertie looked at him, sensing his sadness at the memory of his late parents, and smiled encouragingly. That made the boy respond in kind, seeing her expression, he felt his joy return.

-Well, here we are. Here we are. - He was able to say, pointing to the door. - Let's go before we freeze....

Tom and Cooan meanwhile had entered the cabin, lit a fire and were drying off. They had rushed in; with the ball war the snow had gotten into their clothes. Gentlemanly the boy gave up the fireplace room to change to her, and he did it in another room. When he told her, he went out and the two of them chatted about the place.

- What a beautiful place! - the girl declared. - It reminds me of a friend's house back in Japan.

- It must be a very beautiful place. - Tom said, watching the first flakes fall through the window. -I'd like to see it sometime.

- Don't worry," she said cheerfully. "- When the school year is over you and Roy can come with us, so we can introduce you to our sisters and friends!

- That would be nice. - He agreed, but he felt sorry that she always mentioned his friend first. But now it was just the two of them and he had to make the most of the conversation, so he asked, mostly to keep talking. - And what is this place like?

- It's a sanctuary. - She answered him remembering the snow that accumulated in the winter near the access steps and around the garden of Rei's house. - I always went there often, my friend is a priestess and has the gift of clairvoyance. She has taught me a few things.

-Don't tell me you know how to read cards," - he asked with a gesture between incredulity and amusement.

- Not that, you fool! - Cooan smiled. - But without going any further, I learned that technique against evil spirits.

- Yes, I've always been interested in such things. I have a friend who is an expert in the matter, maybe it would be a good idea to go see him some day. - He commented, weighing up the possibility more seriously, "Don't you think so?

            His companion nodded. They could certainly use some extra help. If those demons were still attacking them, although lately they were being very quiet again. So much the better if they could count on someone else who knew about such things. But then again, they could never trust those beings were quiet forever. The girl was about to say something along those lines when Tom saw Beruche and Roy arrive, commenting in relief.

- There they come again, those two!

             Their friends entered the cabin, both shivering, took off their coats and approached the fire. Cooan gave them a questioning look, half-jokingly reprimanding them.

-It's about time you came back! You were beginning to worry us, where have you been?

- It didn't take us that long, Cooan. - Beruche replied with a conciliatory gesture. - Don't be angry.

- Connie was just worried, there are a lot of gullies and holes here that may be snowed in. - Tom defended her. -

-Yes, that would be the last thing, not another hole!" - Roy laughed. -

-Well, that's why you should be very careful. - Cooan repeated with a somewhat reproachful tone. - We were scared enough last time.

Bertie and Roy looked at her puzzled. Why would Cooan be like that? Although she certainly had no lack of motives then, that was in the past. So, Beruche was quick to admit.

-It's true. Gomen nasai, Cooan- Chan. You're right.

The questioned seemed to realize now that her reaction had been somewhat disproportionate. Feeling embarrassed, she smiled faintly and replied in a better mood, even trying to sound jovial.

-If something bad were to happen to you, I will be the one to explain it to Petz and Kalie.

      And while Beruche was smiling and nodding, Tom, who could not help thinking that Connie's misgivings were due more to Roy than to her sister, quickly changed the subject.

- Well, let's see what there is to eat around here. I'm so hungry.

- Wait, I'll come with you," – Roy said. - "I've worked up an appetite too.

       The young man let Beruche change by the fire, he did as Tom did, so, he used the next room. Then the boys went to get some provisions they had brought with them and roasted them in the fireplace. They were certainly not bad cooks. Roy was surprisingly good at it.

-I don't know why you're surprised. - He commented, vindicating himself. - I learned from a young age.

-Well, that's a great virtue. - Cooan praised him. -

-You're not so bad yourself, Tommy. - Bertie smiled. -

-In my house we all do everything. - He told them. - My parents have always told my brother Daniel and me that we must earn things.

-I think it's a great habit. - Cooan affirmed, adding. - Our sisters and we were brought up in a similar way, weren't we, Bertie? Hard work.

       Her sister nodded, agreeing whole heartedly with that. And to underscore it, the boys even made some hot coffee to tone themselves up. They all ate with a hearty appetite. And a little later, the subject of tardiness quickly forgotten, they were in a great mood. Roy plugged in the CD player he had brought with him and put on music that was (in his opinion), "some of the best bands of the eighties". He even forced Cooan to dance with him.

-Come on Connie, don't be boring!  - He said to her despite her red face. - You're such a good dancer on the court.

- Yes, she can even dance beautifully off the court. - Beruche said, surprising the boys and making her sister even redder. -

- It's true! - Intervened Tom who seemed very happy with that revelation, especially when he added, "I've also done some ballroom dancing with her and we're not bad at it. Maybe one day we could practice seriously and sign up for an extracurricular activity like a contest.

-Well, let's see how well she dances here!" - Roy exclaimed, holding her theatrically by the shoulders, pretending to dance some kind of tango. - Let's see that super cheerleader who doesn't stop dancing all the time!

- But that's another thing, I feel silly here! - She was able to squeak between amusement and embarrassment, barely hiding her blush. -

But it didn't do her any good and she had to let herself be carried away by Roy singing some of the tunes. And he certainly wasn't bad at it. Even better than in the car. Tom joined him and they composed a nice duet.

       - I had no idea you sang so well. - Cooan said, visibly impressed.

       - We participated in the Golden's annual contest. - Roy told her. -

       -Yes, this year we're sure to win in the ensemble category. - Tom affirmed. -

       -And you'll give me a rematch of last year. - His friend commented.

His friend agreed with a smile. At that moment Bertie seemed to be about to ask something, but Roy anticipated. He gave Tom the turn to dance with Cooan, and in the meantime he turned to the other girl.

- Now you, you little cube! - He proposed taking her by the hand and lifting her from the chair where she was sitting - "I'm not crazy!

- Not a chance! - Beruche rebutted. -

       But it didn't help her, her partner already had her by the shoulders and taking one of her hands, he raised her arm, making her to turn. Then he moved to the rhythm of "reagie" while they listened to another great song of one of their favorite groups.

***Giant steps are what you take***

***Walking on the moon***

***I hope my leg don't break***

***Walking on the moon***

***We could walk forever***

***Walking on the moon***

***We could be together***

***Walking on, walking on the moon***

***Walking back from your house***

***Walking on the moon***

***Walking back from your house***

***Walking on the moon***

***Feet, they hardly touch the ground***

***Walking on the moon***

***My feet don't hardly make no sound***

***Walking on, walking on the moon***

***Some may say***

***I'm wishing my days away***

***No way***

***And if it's the price I pay***

***Some say***

***Tomorrow's another day***

***You stay***

***I may as well play***

***Giant steps are what you take***

***Walking on the moon***

***I hope my legs don't break***

***Walking on the moon***

***We could walk forever***

***Walking on the moon***

***We could be together***

***Walking on, walking on the moon***

***Some may say***

***I'm wishing my days away***

***No way***

***And if it's the price I pay***

***Some say***

***Tomorrow's another day***

***You stay***

***I may as well play***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

***Keep it up, keep it up***

**(Walking on the Moon, Police. Credit to the artist)**

-Walking on the Moon! - La, lará, lará...- He sang adding jocularly. - Hey, come to think of it, that sounds like what you said about that Sailor Moon!

- What's that? – Tom, who was now dancing very fluently with a more animated Cooan, asked. -

- A Japanese heroine, who fights for love, imagine that she is my type! - His friend clarified in a joking tone. -

- Well, that doesn't sound bad at all! - his interlocutor laughed. - It makes you want to go there.

You can say that again! - his friend affirmed, sententiously. - We'd make a great crime-fighting couple.

            Hearing this, the girls exchanged glances and laughed out loud, trying to imagine Usagi and Roy together and trying to tell who were more clownish! And they also remembered their friends and sisters with some nostalgia. A few days ago, they sent another letter, more optimistic than the one sent before, enclosing some pictures they took with the boys on their visit to the city. Meanwhile they remembered that the song finished and another one started by the same group that Roy accompanied with his guitar.

- "Every step you take, every breath you take, I'll be watching you." - It said in the refrain, and he sang it to the girls, especially Beruche who smiled. -

-Another great tune. - Tom said when he finished. - Although the lyrics are misleading.

- Why is that? - Cooan wanted to know. -

-Because it's what a psychopath sings to his victim. Ha, ha! - Roy exclaimed in a deep voice and raising his hands as if he were a monster. -

- You're such a fool! - Bertie said, smiling despite everything. -

-Well, but now there are no more monsters around here. - Tom pointed out, relieved and happy about it. -

-Let's hope that lasts. - Cooan added. -

-Yes, we've earned a break. - Bertie echoed with the complicit assent of the rest. -

            And just at that moment, in Tokyo, Rei was praying by the fire at her shrine, the photos in question beside her. There were copies of the ones the girls had sent to their sisters. One showed the four of them. The night was calm, but suddenly there was a gust of air that didn't seem to come from outside and an ember from the bonfire fell on the photograph, right between Roy and Bertie. Rei ran to extinguish it and worried, it was a bad omen. Without hesitation she took out her special divination deck and threw the cards away. Her face paled when she saw the Death card. And she was truly frightened when it appeared three more times, accompanied by the Devil.

-There is no doubt about it. - She said to herself in alarm. - "One of them is in grave danger, they are threatened by evil forces, a tremendous dark power is about to arise....

            But for the moment there was nothing she could do. When she and Ami talked to Usagi and Mamoru, they told them some things and gave them precise instructions. They were to wait. Although the young priestess could see that the moment to intervene was getting closer and closer. Anyway, her friends told them in the letter that everything was better and that the demons had not reappeared for the moment. Hopefully that would last and that they could go to see them soon to be able to protect them if necessary. Or simply to get to know this place.  Rei did not want to tell either Petz or Karaberasu. In that other letter, Cooan explicitly and categorically asked her not to worry her sisters. Anyway, she would tell the other warriors to see what they could do when their own circumstances allowed it... Even so, she thought full of fear and frustration.

-There is very little time left. A terrible power is stalking them...and I can do nothing to help them. Damn it! - the priestess lamented, feeling helpless. -

            At the cottage the weekend flew by quietly. Everyone enjoyed the trip very much and the boys behaved like gentlemen, just as Cooan anticipated, which left Beruche pleasantly impressed (who, with Roy, despite everything, she was still not completely sure in some things). Finally, the day came to return to the university. On the way back, everyone was singing the songs that the two boys had tried to compose in high spirits, again assuring them that they would win again at the festival that was held at the university every year. Roy even insisted on asking his friend for a rematch. On the way back they told the astonished girls how they had competed and how much fun it was.

-Yes, this redneck from Kansas is very deceitful. He’s a great singer and dancer. The best there is. He blew me away, and believe me, that's not so easy.

-Then you're quite an artist. - Cooan praised him. -

-Well, it's no big deal. Roy goes a little too far. - The embarrassed Tom hastened to reply. - I'm good at it and that's that.

- “That's it, Kansas redneck? What are you talking about? You're the new George Michael! - his friend exclaimed, making him blush even more, as he remarked. - I still remember your version of "Somebody To Love". It made my hair stand on end.

          The two girls laughed, it was very touching to see Tommy, as he was affectionately called, blushed. And Beruche couldn't help noticing how that poor boy looked at her sister, sometimes furtively and sidelong glancing, blushing even more when his admired girl smiled.

- I hope Cooan realizes what's right in front of her! This boy is very worthwhile.

Although Bertie was already more interested in her desk mate. During those days at his side, she had felt things that were very difficult to explain.

-It was as if we had somehow known each other forever. It was like that time in the pit. -The girl reflected. - And I'd like to know why. I had never seen him until we met here.

        Her thoughts were interrupted when Roy said with a nod from his friend.

-This year we'll have the best festival the Golden has ever seen and heard of.

-I hope so. - Tom nodded. - Last year's was very good and it will be difficult to equal it.

          And the fact was that this year's festival was getting closer, and they were eager to participate. The girls in turn were curious and wanted to hear them on stage.

-It must be impressive when you perform with microphones in front of an audience. - Cooan commented. -

-You'll see, Connie. - Roy said, assuring the girls. - You're going to love it. -

-That is, if you're not late. - Bertie laughed, sarcastically. - Knowing you, they'll have finished the festival by the time you show up!

-What are you saying, little cube? - He exclaimed with mock pomposity. Please! I'm the Ayatolah of rock, I'm never late, it's the others who are early.

          They all laughed at that joke and the rest of the way, between that and other jokes, they had a great time. None of the four even imagined the magnitude of the dangers they would have to face on their return. Nothing would ever be the same.

**START**