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.

two pills into my mouth, I fill a glass of water at the sink and

Gross.

remains on my tongue and I

water. They're in the fridge, five

Too far.

Suffering is easier.

hype myself up for the walk back to the living room, the hair on my

again, like something—someone—is watching

my senses in the past to avoid beatings at the hands of Todd and

die

I drag myself to the windows, pulling the curtains

still filters through the thin fabric, but it helps me feel

rain to come. It feels later than it is, the gloom making it seem like evening instead

suffering for a solid five hours, and it feels like it's been

bright screen

feeling well today. Might not make it in

but I know I'm in no shape to

idea. The bed is more comfortable than the couch, and the darker room might help

when a sound

A scrabble of

from the

and yanks my heart into my

just my imagination. It

then I hear it again. Louder

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

My hand shakes as I turn it, the click

an inch. Enough to see, but

The hallway

close the door, relief flooding through me, when

can react, something

yelp of surprise and fear escaping my lips as I lose my balance

shadowy monster that comes barreling

It's a dog.

A very familiar dog.

who's been escaping Animal Control every day has shoved her way into my apartment, sniffing

my shoulder blades, and I lean against the door to close it, coughing at the

You don't live

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