Wandering Who: Miles and Avery Where: the living room When: late evening
Avery was wandering again. In some ways it would be safer to stay in his room, but in all honesty, nothing that terrible had happened yet as a result of him venturing out. He'd had a fairly low-key day, putting on his snowsuit and going out into the cold earlier, just to be outside. He was better prepared than he'd been the first time, and he'd enjoyed exploring the woods in the snow, which was still falling from the sky. He'd come back inside, cleaned up and then gone down to make himself something to eat. Once more up the stairs to brush his teeth and floss and wash his hands and then he'd headed back downstairs.
It was late, and he thought that he might be less likely to run into anybody. Being in the vast mansion at this hour reminded him of the one historical home he'd toured with his family long ago: a plantation with fancy fittings and low lighting. It had inspired awe in his child's mind, and this place had nearly the same effect on him. It seemed more than a little impossible that he was living here. He was beginning to actually think that it might be okay, it might work out. At first he'd been sure he'd made a mistake, but maybe that had been homesickness talking. Tonight, he would have said that this experiment wasn't bad at all.
Avery walked into the living room, seeing that there was a fire lit in the vast fireplace. It made the room with its groupings of leather couches and chairs seem extra cozy. Approaching the fire, he basked in its warmth as he craned his neck to scrutinize the rifles and other weapons that adorned the stonework of the chimney.