I started walking to the other side now, figuring he had tried to fake me out. Peeking around the corner, I saw that the lights were still off and no one was moving. I sighed, getting a little frustrated, but not enough to be annoyed. I knew I’d have to cross over enemy lines and put myself into the open to draw him out of hiding.

I stepped away from the wall, and started for the corner. Before I got halfway, there was a sound to my right, and a shadow flew out from behind the bushes. I turned on the spot and ran behind the shed, laughs escaping from my mouth. Of course he was right behind me, and in seconds he reached me. Grabbing my arm, he turned me so that when we fell, I ended up on top.

We lay there in the snow, chests heaving from trying to catch our breath and trying to suppress the laughter that still emanated from us both. His coat lay open, so I placed my hands on either side of his chest, on the lining of brown fur, and pushed myself up so that my face was inches above his.