Vanish held his breath, praying that the door of his room didn't open. Maybe she'll think I'm not here.
"Logan? Darling?" Aphrodite called from the hallway.
Don't say a word, don't creak the floors, don't move an inch.
"Darling, I know you're up here," said Aphrodite, her voice growing impatient. "I don't want to force you out, but I will."
Dammit.
"One," began Madeline in a sing-song tone.
No, please don't.
"Two."
Stop. Please.
"Three."
I promise, I won't do this again, but please just--
"Come on out, darling."
Vanish's feet began moving against his will toward the locked door. He silently undid the latch and opened it to see the smiling face of his tormentor.
"Why were you hiding from me?" She asked, running a hand through his tousled hair. When he didn't answer, she frowned. "That wasn't a rhetorical question, tell me."
"I didn't want you to hurt me," Vanish replied. "I'm scared of you.���
"Oh, darling," Aphrodite smiled sympathetically, and pressed a kiss to his lips. "There's no need to be scared of me. Remember that."
Vanish nodded. Yeah, I'll always remember your lies.