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

groan, but her resolute stare tells me she’s

onto a plate and shove it

in favor of appeasing my restless.

second it’s open wide enough, nearly yanking me off my feet. I stumble

crisp evening air is a welcome relief after

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Ava: Paranoia and

rhythm, my earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she

far from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue.

months.

have

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

direction.

yanks me off my feet, and I stumble, barely catching myself before

14:45.

38

Paranoia and Secrets

kinds of shenanigans. “Okay.

once. Maybe she

into the shadowed treeline, the crunch of fallen leaves and twigs beneath my boots echoing in the stillness. A shiver skitters down my spine. I can’t help but touch the crystal in my pocket, gleaning a little

over our path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I tighten

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 shadows feels different. Foreboding.

neck as the air seems to thicken around us, the

14:45 –

22 Ava: Paranola and

and decaying foliage taking on an almost cloying quality. My pulse

as an unfamiliar heat blossoms deep in my

abdomen.

happening

my bearings. But the trees seem to blur together, an endless maze of bark and branches that

me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and distorting until