The next day, Vindictus purposely took a different path to his office. Just like he predicted, there were students waiting outside his closed door. In fact, there were too many students waiting outside his door. Didn't people realize that a locked door meant that nobody was home and to go away?

Merlin's great warty toe! They were blocking the door. He mumbled a colorful oath under his breath and was greatful for the tall shrubbery blocking him from their view.

Back window it is.

Carefully and quietly so that no one could hear him, Vindictus opened the back window of his office with his wand. He glanced around to make sure no one saw him. Phew!

The coast was clear. He reached up with both hands and pulled himself up so that his shoulders were level with the windowsill. His feet moved about as they tried to get traction on the uneven stone wall. With all of his might, he pushed with his feet and hands, and his body went halfway across the sill. Just his rear and legs were sticking out of the window. All he needed was something to grab onto. CHAIR! Yes, I'll grab my chair and pull myself through.

However, he momentarily forgot that his chair was on wheels.

KERPLUNK! CRASH! THUD!

Vindictus somehow managed to throw himself across the room and he landed on his back with a very loud thud. The crashing sound was his chair hitting the glass trophy case.

"Uh oh. I think they may have heard that," he winced as he stared up at the ceiling above him. He laid there for a few moments before he slowly pulled himself up into a standing position. "I'm getting too old for this. Guess its time to have a sturdy oak planted outside the window."

He walked over and closed the window. A bit sore, he rolled his chair back over to its usual spot behind his desk. The shattered glass could stay where it was for now.

Walking a bit slower than usual, he walked over to his office door and unlocked it. "Okay, okay. I'm here. What does everyone need?" Vindictus inquired as he stood in the doorway.