the vance home.

Avery had awoken early this morning, ready to take on the day and be mischievous. He had approached Louisa's room with the utmost caution, hoping not to wake her too early. Nabbing one of her boots, Avery was going in for a second when she had rolled over in bed and he had to run from the room. That had been well over two hours ago, and Avery was still sitting in one of the closets on the lower floor of the home, patiently abiding his time, waiting for Louisa.

As he was beginning to doze off, the boot sitting to his side, Avery heard footsteps coming towards the stairs. Soon, Louisa's voice followed, yelling for him. Angry footsteps fell onto the stairs, but her voice was silent after Avery heard the final thud at the bottom of the stairs. Snickering, Avery pressed himself closer against the wall of the closet, next to the opening end of the door, right at the knob. Holding his breath, Avery waited to hear Louisa's footsteps coming towards him. Gripping her boot and smiling from ear-to-ear, Avery waited in that little closet under the stairs.

Avery readjusted his footing, leaning his ear closer to the door. He heard Louisa calling for him, tempting he to come out. Avery almost yelled out, but bit down hard on his tongue, causing tears to well up in his eyes. Holding in the pain, Avery moved himself away from the door, moving behind some of the brooms and mops that hung from hooks. Placing the boot in an empty bucket to his left, Avery sat with his back to the wall, staring at the door. Louisa was likely to come through the door at any moment, and he wanted to look as innocent as Avery-ly possible.