#Chapter 24: A Game of Chance

I held the key in front of the lock to my parents’ front door and paused. Nothing in me wanted to go inside, but I didn’t really have a choice. I needed more of my things if I was going to continue to stay at work comfortably. I put the key in the lock and turned the knob as slowly and quietly as possible. Maybe I could sneak in and out without anyone noticing me. Not that my family ever really paid a whole lot of attention to me…but I didn’t want to take any chances. I slipped through the door and carefully shut it behind me. I paused and listened. I heard some dishes clanking around in the kitchen. At this hour, my parents were probably drinking their evening tea, I guessed. I looked up the stairs. I didn’t see any lights coming from the rooms, which hopefully meant that I would not find any more unwelcome surprises in my bed. I tiptoed over to the staircase and slowly made my way up the stairs, careful to avoid the third step up, which was notoriously noisy when it was step