The two dash to the bottom trunk of the willow tree as they hide behind its large stump. Kay moves his back against the bark as he attempts for a better viewpoint allowing him to peer through the crack between the fence and tree. “Any sight of Peggie,” says Ven in a hushed tone.

“No not yet she might be cooking in the kitchen since it’s almost breakfast time, let’s make this quick, and Ven, make sure she doesn’t see you!”

“ Yeah got it, same to you, the last time she saw us carry a sword out of our room she almost had a heart attack.”Kay sighs as he recalls the endless lectures she gives out to them on safety. They know she does it out of concern for their well-being. Yet, in a world full of monsters and magic they can’t stay cooped up in such ideals. Ven begins climbing up the tree rather than the wooden fence connected to it surrounding the garden being that the tree provided more cover. Ven jumps down from the tree clearing the first hurdle. There were far too many windows that Peggie could easily look through into the garden. It was enough to make Ven feel a moment of fear as he leaped into the closest hydrangea bush. 

The best entrance into their room was from the garden through the window on the second story; right above the window from the kitchen. Thankfully the kitchen window had curtains currently covering the view, they could only use this strategy when the curtains do their job, providing coverage.

Entering through the house was too risky, the floors would creak endlessly blowing their cover. The plan was simple and perfected by the two. Ven would first place a ladder in front of the kitchen window as Kay would come right after him and climb the ladder as Ven held it straight. In a matter of seconds they are able to take whatever needs taking and climb back up the willow in a mere 80 seconds. Ven popped his head from the bushes, locking the latter in his sights. He began sprinting over to the latter as Kay achieved in climbing the tree. He then  jumped down in a way that would make assassins proud for the lack of noise he admitted. Ven grabbed the latter and began dashing to the window with the wind following his steps. 

+++++

This bright and sun-filled morning made the weather warm but with a small chill when walking through the shadows. It was a morning like any other. The cat bowls were close to being filled. This black puffball of a cat made its normal route heading to Peggie’s garden. He was a regular there as Peggie grew to like him, naming him soot ball. He climbed the wooden fence surrounding the garden. Soot noticed Ven and Kay climbing the willow. They’re up to their crazy antics again, thought the cat. Oh well, the cat eyed the bowls as he jumped down to the garden with a skip in his step nearing the bowls close to the kitchen window. 

+++++

  Ven was three feet away from the window until a shadow appeared within his path. “Shit!”, Ven whispered. He leaped  from his running position into a long jump turned dangerous when his right foot buckled from the weight of the latter. He tumbled with great force flying into the cemented floor. Kay witnessed what was being transpired so he took a forced leap into the nearest flower bed for cover. A loud crash rained down the alleyways followed by an anguished voice. 

“Augh!” Ven yelled followed by a whimper and a set of lightly glazed eyes. In an instance, the curtain swung open with powerful force. The face of an oh too familiar scowled eyes followed with Peggie’s famously done-up gray hair that rivals any geisha.  She focused her sight on Ven as she opened the window allowing for a path of communication. 

“Hello there Peggie, have I ever mentioned how ravishing you look in your apron.” Ven tried hard in changing his expression of pain into a slight grin. Peggie’s eyes changed to confusion when she witnessed a lone boy lying atop of a ladder. “Hey Ven, what are you doing?” His eyes bolted from different locations of the garden hoping to find an answer to her question. “I wanted to do some revamping. The backyard is a bit messy.”