Peter
"Okay!" Peter clapped his hands once, stepping forward. "Let's do rock, paper, scissors to pick our team leaders. Got it?"
"Yes," Luke said immediately.
"Mhm," Esther replied, arms crossed.
"Yup," James added.
"Uh-huh," Rachel said, already half-bored.
Deborah raised her hand slightly. "Wait—but how are we picking teams—"
"Excellent question, Deb," Peter cut in smoothly. "I was just getting to that."
Spirit and Rachel exchanged a quick giggle.
Peter shot them a look, then continued.
"The team leaders will take turns picking who they want on their team. Any questions?"
Silence.
"Good. Let's go."
He raised his hand.
"Rock. Paper. Scissors—shoot!"
After several rounds—
Deborah and Rachel stood as captains.
Rachel won the final match.
She smiled.
"I pick James."
James didn't hesitate—he walked straight to her side.
Deborah pressed her lips together, thinking.
"I pick Esther."
Esther stepped over calmly.
"Spirit," Rachel said immediately.
Spirit grinned and joined her.
Deborah glanced at the remaining group.
"…Peter and Luke."
"Works for me," Peter said, walking over. Luke followed.
Peter clapped once.
"Alright—since Rachel has two gifts, Deborah's team gets four people. Fair?"
"Fair," Rachel said.
"Yeah," James added, already energized.
"No complaints," Esther nodded.
"Alright then!" Peter stepped back, raising his voice."Everyone head to your bases! The game starts when I say go—and NO HEAD STARTS."
He pointed at each of them.
"I mean it. I'm not playing unless everyone agrees."
"Yeah!"
"Got it!"
"Duh!"
"Clear!"
"Let's go!" Deborah shouted, already sprinting off.
Both teams scattered.
--
"Guys!" Deborah whispered loudly. "This is our base."
She stopped at a tall willow tree—its branches hanging low, leaves thick and concealing.
Without hesitation, she started climbing.
Luke grinned.
"Well… aren't you a little monkey."
"That's actually a really good idea," Esther said, impressed.
"Yeah—good thinking," Peter added.
Deborah reached a high branch and carefully placed their "flag"—her blanket—securely across it.
"That way it's harder to reach," she whispered proudly as she climbed down.
Luke frowned slightly.
"I don't know… James can just raise the ground and lift himself up."
Peter nodded.
"True."
He motioned them closer.
"Alright—listen up."
They formed a tight circle.
"Esther, you're offense. You go for the flag," Peter said. "Deb—you go with her."
Deborah nodded eagerly.
"Luke and I stay here. Defense."
Luke frowned.
"I want to go get the flag."
"You're not fast enough," Peter said bluntly.
"Yes I am! I'm just as fast as Deb!"
Peter shook his head.
"Not when it comes to climbing. She's better."
Luke hesitated—
"…Okay, fair."
"But wait," Luke added. "How do we know what James is doing? Offense or defense?"
"We don't," Esther said. "But if I had to guess—James is guarding. Spirit and Rachel will attack."
Peter nodded.
"Same thought."
Deborah suddenly leaned forward.
"Esther… can you turn into air?"
Everyone paused.
"…Yeah," Luke said. "Wait—can you?"
Esther hesitated.
"I can," she admitted. "But I can't control the air while I'm in that state… and I still struggle coming out of it."
Deborah didn't back down.
"I think you should do it."
Esther blinked.
"You're almost invisible when you do that. It could work."
Everyone turned to Peter.
"Hurry," Deborah whispered urgently. "We're running out of time."
Peter thought quickly.
"Is it harder to become air if you're wet or muddy?" he asked.
Esther frowned.
"…I don't think so."
Peter nodded once.
"Then do it."
Esther's eyes sharpened.
"Now?"
"Not yet," Peter said. "The moment the game starts."
Luke grinned.
"Yeah—do it."
Peter pointed as he spoke, assigning roles clearly.
"Alright—Esther, you turn into air the second I say go. Deb—you run first, then climb halfway through. Luke—you hide in the willow. Last line of defense."
Luke nodded.
"And me?" Deborah asked.
"You stick with Esther. Help her get the flag."
Peter stepped back.
"And I'll move between trees—tag whoever gets close."
Luke smiled.
"Sounds good."
Deborah bounced slightly.
"Can we start now?"
"In a minute," Peter said.
She wants to attack Spirit.
Peter froze.
The voice—
Clear.
Sharp.
He turned instantly.
It came from Esther.
Peter stared at her.
"…Huh?"
Esther blinked.
"What?"
"Did you just say something?" Peter asked slowly.
"No…?"
Peter glanced at Luke and Deborah.
"Did either of you—"
"No," they said at the same time.
Peter frowned.
"…My bad."
A beat.
He shook it off.
Peter stepped forward, raising his voice.
"IS EVERYONE READY?"
"YES!" Rachel shouted from across the field.
"LET'S GET STARTED!"
Peter took a breath.
"ON YOUR MARKS—"
Everyone tensed.
"GET READY—"
Eyes locked.
"SET—"
Silence.
"GO!"