Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14 Ava: Her Name's Selene

Chapters 11-17 have been rewritten to improve story flow and pacing. [June 27, 2024]

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The dream clings to me, leaving my heart pounding.

But it's not real.

Just a nightmare.

Rolling over, I curl into a ball to fight the shivers wracking my body. The fleece throw is both too hot and too cold, and I can't take it off. When I do, I'm dying like I've been thrown straight into a snowbank, naked. With it on, I feel like I'm going to drown in sweat, but at least it's less uncomfortable.

The unsettling dream lingers in my head, the sensation of dirty feet and crunchy leaves echoing against my feet.

Unease crawls down my spine, anxiety doing its damnedest to take over.

I ignore it as best as I can in my current state.

Sleep, I need sleep. Maybe if I can just drift off again, I'll wake up feeling better. Renewed.

But no matter how determined I am, my body rebels, keeping me awake.

I can't get comfortable. The couch, all cozy comfort, now feels lumpy and unwelcoming beneath me.

Minutes crawl by.

Still awake.

With a groan of defeat, I force myself off the couch. The room spins for a moment, and I grip the armrest hold myself up.

Bathroom first. Then medicine.

The trek to the toilet is a monumental effort, a full exercise routine.

My heart pounds and sweat pours down my back by the time I'm done. I should get a badge for not peeing myself when I feel like this.

Maybe a trophy acknowledging my survival of the common cold will help me feel better.

The kitchen is next as I hunt down the Tylenol I'd left on the counter somewhere. Even pulling the cotton balls out of the brand new jar makes me want to quit and lay back down, but I persevere.

Congratulations, Ava. You did it.

of water at

Gross.

of the tablets remains on my tongue and I wash it down with

water. They're in the fridge, five feet

Too far.

Suffering is easier.

the walk back to the living room, the hair on my arms prickle into standing, my anxiety

again,

at the hands of Todd and his cronies, but there's nothing here to be

habits die hard, I

the windows,

still filters through the thin fabric, but it helps me

to come. It feels later than it is, the gloom making it

hours, and it feels like it's

my pocket, I squint at the bright screen as I type out a quick message

feeling well today. Might not make it

know I'm

on my feet. Maybe the bedroom would be a better idea. The bed is more comfortable than the couch, and the darker room might help

head that way when a sound stops me

A scrabble of claws against

coming from the

to the floor and yanks my heart into my throat. The dream

imagination. It has to

then I hear it again. Louder this

I creep down the hall, my heart pounding in my ears. By the time I reach the door, my palms are slick with sweat, and my

knob. My hand shakes as I turn it, the click of the latch sounding unnaturally loud in

just an inch. Enough to see, but not enough

The hallway is

through me,

can react, something shoves the door open

surprise and fear escaping my lips

monster that comes

It's a dog.

A very familiar dog.

silver husky who's been escaping Animal Control every day has shoved her way into

I lean against the door

doggy. You don't live

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