Battlecraft VR

by Linden Storm

  “What if Marina wants it?” William says.

  “I’ll fight her for it,” Belle says.

  “You’ll lose,” Paul says.

  Marina sighs. “Never mind. You can have that one. I’ll take the one with the cherry tree outside.”

  “I wanted that one,” Nick says.

  “The pollen will bother your allergies, man,” William says.

  “He's right,” Paul says.

  When Harold and Rupert enter the room, all the bickering stops.

  “Harold!” Belle says. “We hear you’re moving in here too, old man.”

  He beams. Gemma moves to him and takes his arm. And then he’s weeping.

  “Oh, Harold,” Belle says. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like our new home?”

  “I miss being on the road,” he says, grinning.

  There’s a chorus of boos.

  Marina smiles as Belle takes up an electric blue pillow and throws it at Harold and Gemma.

  And then it’s a free-for-all, pillows flying in combat and celebration, everyone feeling right at home.

  * * *