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My happy afternoon in the snow is fading I don’t think I can bear an hour of Ann’s whining I a to my defense at breakfast The snow is in my hand before I can think I hurl it at Ann and it splats across her surprised face Before she can react, I throw another snowball

Ann splutters,"I-I-I" Another hits across her skirt

"Co to allow e?"

The answer is a spray of snow across my neck The ice trickles down my collar and into my dress and I squeal from the sudden freeze I reach for another handful of snow and Ann’s next snowball finds my head My hair drips with the wet ice

"That isn’t fair!" I shout" I’ve no ammunition"

Ann stops, and I hit her with a snowball I’ve hidden behind e"You said--"

"Ann, do you always do as you’re told? This is war!" I throw one that ain I’ the ice pellets from my eyes

Beneath the snow, the land has turned to thick mud due to all the rain The heels of ainst--no tree or bench--I’m afraid I’m stuck fast I liftface-first into theme up and over behind a tree When my eyes clear, I am face to face with him

"Kartik!"I exclai atsnow drips from my hair onto ht

"Why didn’t you respond to my note?" he asks

I feel foolish And happy to see hihts I cannot naet away I"

Beyond the trees, I hear Ann calling e

Kartik’s grip tightens "No matter We’ve little time and I’ve much to say There is trouble in the realms"