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.

stare tells me she’s dead serious. “Fine, but just a

scrape the food onto a plate and shove

of appeasing

and she darts out the door the second it’s open wide enough, nearly yanking me

air is a welcome relief after

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets

and I find myself falling into an easy rhythm, my earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny, but her path seems guided by some unseen

inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I let Selene lead,

months.

and we have at least a half hour of walking to get back home. I’m hungry and worn out from the day, and I keep looking around like someone’s about to pop out

tug at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene. Come on.

direction.

almost yanks me off my feet, and I stumble, barely catching

14:45.

38

Paranoia and Secrets

of shenanigans. “Okay. Okay! I get it, you

potty once. Maybe

in the stillness. A shiver skitters down my spine. I can’t

over our path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I tighten my grip on the leash, my heart. thrumming a staccato rhythm against my

has always been a relatively well–behaved companion, her antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the apartment.

trickles down the nape of my neck as the air seems to

14:45 –

22 Ava: Paranola and Secrets

taking on an almost cloying

unfamiliar heat blossoms deep in my

abdomen.

happening

and I take the opportunity to glance around, trying to get my bearings. But the trees seem

frame, my fingers clenching spasmodically around the leash as a wave of dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and distorting until they seem to reach out with gnarled