With a sigh Oz pushed his way through the heavy school door and started to walk down the snowy path. He pulled his hat down firmly over his ears and stuffed his gloved hands deep into his pockets. It must have been a good few degrees below freezing but there was nowhere he'd rather be right now.

It was hard being part of a group that loved to talk so much. They had all joked about Oz being the quiet one, the stoic one, he wondered sometimes if they realised how hard it could be to be around them, filling his brain with chatter and too many busy thoughts. Sometimes he just needed some time away from the bustle, time to empty his mind and enjoy the nothingness.

Winter was his favourite season. There was nothing more soothing than the quiet silence of a snowy moonlit night. He could walk and enjoy the solitude, marvel at the snow creatures the neighbourhood kids had built throughout the day and prepare himself to cope with whatever madness the Hellmouth was getting ready to throw at them next.