Tangled

22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

I try to slip the crystal back into the drawer of my nightstand, but Selene darts forward, her body wriggling between me and the furniture like a furry battering ram. With a huff of frustration, I pull my hand back, the crystal still clutched in my fist.”

“Selene, down,” I scold, but she remains resolutely in my path, those pale blue eyes fixed on the object in my grasp.

Realizing this is a battle I won’t win, I shove the crystal into the pocket of my jeans, ignoring the uneasy weight that seems to settle in my gut at its presence. Selene’s tail wags, and she trots back toward the kitchen, pausing every few steps to glance over her shoulder, as if ensuring I follow.

The aroma of the sautéed vegetables greets me as I re–enter the kitchen, and my stomach rumbles in

anticipation. But as I move to finish plating the meal, Selene darts underfoot, nearly sending me sprawling. I sidestep her clumsily, shooting her a glare.

“What has gotten into you?” I mutter, stirring the

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22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (1)

contents of the pan with perhaps more force than

necessary.

Selene whines, her nose pointed toward the front. door, and understanding dawns.

“All right, all right.” I rush over to open the front door.

But Selene remains rooted to the spot, her gaze flickering between me and the door, an insistent whine escaping her. I frown as realization sets in–she wants

come with

her resolute stare tells me

scrape the food onto a plate and

in favor of

her collar, and she darts out the door the second it’s open wide enough, nearly

evening air is a welcome relief after

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I find myself falling into an easy rhythm, my earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots

home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I let Selene lead, trusting in

months.

to a nearby park, which is essentially a trail going through a small bit of city forest. My food is cold at home, and we have at least

home. I’m starving.” I tug at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene. Come on. Now!” I tug harder

direction.

yanks me off my feet, and I stumble, barely catching myself before I fall. “You’ve gotta be kidding

14:45.

38

and Secrets

for these kinds of shenanigans. “Okay.

Maybe she needs to walk longer.

the crunch of fallen leaves and twigs beneath my boots echoing in the stillness. A shiver skitters

canopy in dappled streaks, casting an eerie glow over our path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I tighten my grip

her. Selene has always been a relatively well–behaved companion, her antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the apartment. But this? This single–minded determination to lead me deeper into the

the nape of my neck as the air seems to

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22 Ava: Paranola and

on an almost cloying quality. My pulse quickens, each breath growing

as an unfamiliar heat blossoms deep in

abdomen.

happening

twitching as she scents the air, and I take the opportunity to glance around, trying to get my bearings. But the trees seem to blur together, an endless maze of bark and branches that offers no clear path of escape.

leash as a wave of dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and distorting until they seem to reach