Nora paused at the top of the stairs. She could hear the family moving around, and she almost stopped breathing for listening to hear where they were in relation to her. No one was upstairs, thank goodness, so she could dash back to her hiding spot or even under the bed. After a tense few seconds, she placed a small foot on one step, there came no creak so she tried another and another knowing full well with each step she was sacrificing her advantage. The worst thought was the dog hearing her...but nothing came. It sounded like the family was doing something with him.
She hurried further, making it into the mud room, noticing now that the door was deadbolted from up high on the other side where she was. Getting out wouldn't work normally she'd have to take the doggie door again. Luckily for her with her small size she could fit through, even with clothes. It was still a risk, the sound could summon someone or the dog, but she started to wiggle through.
She managed to wiggle through, pausing to make sure the watch was absolutely in her pocket, and satisfied she dashed home! She felt her heart racing with every moment as she ran, hoping no one would see the child dressed for nonexistent rain. She didn't even stop to put on the rainboots she'd grabbed she was so stressed out, but once she was home again, safe in her own place Nora finally took in the breath she didn't know she had been holding.
She was dead tired, her tiny body ached...but she'd made it. She had fitting clothes...but a new problem. She was younger than before, no way she could go out like this now. A 12 year old on their own was a little more feasible to accept, not much but some. A xix year old or younger was not a possibility, and she needed answers. This made her rush for clothing pointless now but at least she wasn't naked. One way was to risk being younger and try out the watch, but maybe she could find answers. Then again....